Namibia’s league champions will once again play one of their biggest matches when they face off against Uganda’s Vipers this evening, whose positive result could usher them into the next round of the CAF Champions League.

The Bob Mafoso mentored side will give it a third attempt in hopes to proceed to the next round of the competition, when they square off at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, Western Cape, for the first leg of the tournament. The second leg is slated for next week at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kampala.

Speaking to this publication yesterday, Mafoso said the team is ready for the encounter and was only concentrating on the final touches to their preparations. “We are happy with where we are. The preparations have gone well, and the players are ready for the encounter. At least we don’t have any injury concerns in the team, which is a positive sign,” he noted.

“We will be ready for tomorrow (today). We have one final session left, and the team is in good spirits. We should be ready to play against the best on the continent. Overall, the team is ready to collect points,” Mafoso added.

Meanwhile, ahead of today’s encounter, Vipers president Lawrance Mulindwa reminded his players of their sole mandate to win. “If you don’t understand that football is about competition, then go fishing. We are not going to the Champions League as jokers. Do you know how much I have spent on the preliminary round to ensure we have enough players for this competition?” he asked.

He further stressed that although African Stars took the match to Cape Town, they too remain visitors. “We have to approach the game with hunger, purpose, and intensity,” Mulindwa added.

The winner of this tie will advance to face either Zambia’s Power Dynamos or Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas in the next round.

– Additional reporting from www.monitor.co.ug

– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na