Kariisa, Juuko, Anukani out as Vipers arrive in Tanzania

Vipers players during a team talk at Kitende | Vipers Image

CAF CL Kariisa, Juuko, Anukani out as Vipers arrive in Tanzania

Peter Tabu 08:25 - 06.03.2023

Vipers have touched base in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, before their CAF Champions League group game against Simba on Tuesday 7th, March at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium.

However, the 20-man playing squad, which arrived on Monday morning using Uganda Airlines, doesn't include experienced centre-back, former Simba player Murushid Juuko and midfielder Bright Anukani, both nursing injuries.

The other notable absentees include midfielder Marvin Youngman, Disan Galiwango, and forward Karim Ndugwa; the latter is cup-tied.

Team captain Milton Kariisa is also unavailable due to the hamstring injury he picked up in the reverse fixture; however, he made the trip to morale boost the team.

Forward Yunus Ssentamu, Midfielder Siraje Sentamu and pacey winger Martin Kizza will be expected to step up for Roberto Bianchi's side on Tuesday.

The Venoms need a win to revive their continental campaign, having managed only a point from the three group-stage games.

Roberto Bianchi's side is expected to hold their last training session at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium on Monday evening.

Simba won the first meeting 1-0 in Kampala and aimed to complete the double against the visitors to move to six points.

Msimbazi's poor start to the campaign, where they lost back-to-back games, away to Horoya (1-0) and Raja Casablanca (3-0) in Tanzania, respectively, means they must win to keep their campaign alive.

On Tuesday, the home side has spent the previous days mobilizing fans to fill up the Benjamin Mkapa stadium for the game, which kicks off at 7 pm.

Raja Casablanca tops group, A standings with nine points, followed by Horoya with four, while Simba and Vipers are next with three and one point, respectively.

Vipers Squad

Goalkeepers: Alfred Mudekereza and Fabien Mutombora

Defenders: Livingstone Mulondo, Hilary Mukundane, Isa Mubiru, Ashraf Mandela, Bashir Asiku, Enock Luyima

Midfielders: Abdu Lumala, Siraje Sentamu, Olivier Osomba, Robert Serge Mwenge, Abdu Karim Watambala, Najib Yiga, Frank 'Zaga' Tumwesigye

Forwards: Ibrahim Orit, Martin Kizza, Yunus Sentamu, Abubakar Lawal, Israel Desire Tety