Vipers Sports Club head coach Ivan Minnaert says his team remains confident of overturning a narrow deficit when they face Power Dynamos in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round return leg on Friday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The Ugandan champions trail 2-1 on aggregate after falling to the Zambian side in the first leg at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, where they took an early lead before conceding twice. Despite the setback, Minnaert insists his side still has what it takes to progress to the group stages of Africa’s premier club competition.
“It was hard luck for us because we had a few good chances to score and didn’t take them,” Minnaert said as quoted by Monitor. “We believe 100 percent we can do it because it’s only one goal. We need to go there and try to score as fast as possible. We‘ve 90 minutes to be classified, and we will do it.”
Huge Mountain To Climb for Vipers
Vipers will need to deliver a disciplined and clinical performance in Ndola against a Power Dynamos side boosted by their two away goals from the first leg. The challenge is compounded by Power’s impressive home form at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium this season, where they edged ASEC Mimosas 1-0 in the previous round.
To progress to the CAF Champions League group stages, Vipers will need a strong response — a win by at least two clear goals to overturn the deficit and keep their continental dream alive.
Reports from Uganda suggest that pressure is mounting on Minnaert, with his future at St. Mary’s Kitende potentially under review should the Venoms fail to mount a credible challenge in Zambia.
The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the CAF Champions League group stage, earning both continental prestige and significant financial reward.
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