CAF Champions League
African Stars FC (Namibia) v Vipers SC (Uganda)
Venue: Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Date: Friday
Time: 7:00 PM
Return Leg: St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende | Sept 27
Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC step back onto the continental stage on Friday evening as they begin their CAF Champions League journey against African Stars FC. The first leg will be played at Athlete Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, after the Namibian champions opted for a neutral venue rather than hosting in Windhoek.
Despite their late arrival in Cape Town, just two days before the encounter, the Venoms will be determined to seize early control of the tie. Belgian coach Jacky Ivan Minnaert will look to his squad’s blend of experience and flair, but all eyes will inevitably fall on Allan Okello.
The attacking midfielder has been in irresistible form, carrying over his prolific displays from last season — where he struck 20 goals during Vipers’ domestic double-winning campaign — to the national stage with influential performances for Uganda at both CHAN and AFCON qualifiers. His creativity and composure in tight spaces remain Vipers’ most dangerous weapon.
This marks a return to Africa’s top club competition for the Kitende-based side, who just two seasons ago stunned TP Mazembe on their way to the group stages, eventually facing giants Raja Casablanca, Simba SC, and Horoya AC. That experience is expected to sharpen their resolve this time around.
Their opponents, African Stars, may lack a decorated history in CAF tournaments — having featured only twice in the Champions League — but they are no pushovers. With eight Namibian league titles and several domestic cups to their name, the Windhoek-based outfit bring a competitive pedigree that demands respect. Their consistency in their own league has turned them into a formidable force at home, even if this particular tie is played away from Namibian soil.
For Vipers, the approach is clear: take advantage of the first leg, impose themselves in Cape Town, and return to Kitende with the upper hand. With a solid defensive unit marshaled by Livingstone Mulondo and his partners, and attacking options such as Yunus Sentamu, Milton Karisa, and Abubakar Lawal to complement Okello’s creativity, the Venoms appear well-prepared for the challenge.
