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Kampala – In his favorite 4-3-3 formation, Vipers coach Fred Kajoba often prefers to go with a center forward and two supportive creative forwards.
At his Kitende base ahead of Saturday’s Caf Champions League meeting with Sudan’s Al Hilal, Kajoba now finds himself with a welcome selection dilemma due to four hitting options; Ceaser Manzoki, Abraham Ndugwa, Muhammad Shaban and Daniel Sserunkuma appear to be supporting the only starting spot.
Based on the resume and framework, the imported Congolese Manzoki would be the ideal first choice, but considering it hasn’t been tested yet, Kajoba may be forced to think twice.
Diminutive Sserunkuma has seen it all after his stints at Gor Mahia in Kenya and Simba in Tanzania, but lately he has been forceful in the league and requires additional motivation if he wants to lead the line.
Ndugwa, whose solo hit at St Mary’s Stadium helped the Vipers ditch Sudanese Al Merriekh two years ago, is ready to strike if only asked that his conversion rate still needs to be polished.
Allan Kayiwa, Paul Mucureezi, Ibrahim Orit and Milton Karisa are the creative pillars that every striker must adapt to.
Come in the recovered Shaban, and you have a striker who is a perfect fit against a Hilal who has been in action in October. Excellent predatory skills, commendable aerial prowess, and with a knack for pulling the game tide on his own, Shaban is the closest the Vipers can claim for their Fahad Bayo scoring machine.
The injury break since April last year hasn’t taken away any of his flamboyance, the exact attitude Kajoba will require from his players to overcome Hilal’s attack this weekend. “Each player has their impact on the team. Bayo had his good form, but my return will add momentum from the beginning,” he told the club’s website.
“I want the Vipers to retain the league and also reach the group stage of the Champions League,” said the temperamental forward whose goal against St George (Ethiopia) ensured that KCCA reached the same milestone in 2018.
In connection with this, Vipers CEO Peter Njuba confirmed Hilal’s arrival yesterday and would be booked at the Pearl of Africa Hotel.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Preliminary Round – SATURDAY
Vipers SC vs. Al Hilal Omdurman, 4 pm
Santa Maria Stadium, Kitende
