Coach Minnaert calls for intensity ahead of Vipers–UPDF Clash at Kitende

Uganda Premier League

Today, 8pm

Vipers v UPDF

Wednesday

Police v Buhimba, 4pm

Mbarara v Entebbe, 4pm

Vipers SC head coach Ivan Minnaert has urged his players to raise their performance levels ahead of today’s Uganda Premier League (UPL) clash with UPDF FC at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende under the floodlights.

The Belgian tactician expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s showing in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw home with SC Villa, stressing the need for sharper finishing and greater overall intensity.

“The performance was not what we expected. Our finishing was poor, and we must do better in the coming games while building on the positives from the Villa match,” Minnaert said.

Vipers who are currently fourth on the log with 13 points from five matches have an opportunity today to close the gap on joint table leaders KCCA and Villa. Both sides are sharing top spot with 17 points each only separated by the head-to-head rule which places KCCA in first position and Villa in second place. Also, worthy noting is the fact that Vipers has three games in hand.

Experienced forward Yunus Sentamu is among those expected to step up tonight after missing several clear chances against Villa. The goal poacher could have bagged at least a hat-trick against the Jogoos but wasteful finishing including a ruled-out effort for offside left Vipers with only a point to take.

Defensively, the pairing of Hillary Mukundane and Congolese international Kevin Dyslyva will also need to tighten up. The duo was caught out when Villa’s Frank Sebuufu headed home Simon Kato Ssemayange’s cross for the Jogoos’ opener early in the second half. They now face another aerial threat in UPDF’s Samuel Kayongo Ssekamatte, well known for his prowess in the air.

For UPDF, the trip to Kitende comes at a difficult time. Coach Paul Kiwanuka’s side has struggled for consistency, winning just two of their seven matches and losing the other five. They are 14th on the table.

Their latest outing was a narrow 1-0 home defeat to Villa at Bombo Military Barracks. However, UPDF can draw slight encouragement from the fact that both their victories this season came away from home, against Calvary and Mbarara City though both opponents currently occupy the bottom two places, 15th and 16th positions respectively.

History is also firmly against the visitors. UPDF are yet to beat Vipers, who have won the last five encounters between the two teams.