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Vipers has scored just eight goals in their last 12 games in all competitions. They have also scored more than one goal on just five occasions in 19 games since the start of the season.
Beto Bianchi forthrightly insists that there is no silver bullet solution to Vipers SC’s goalscoring problems, reiterating that he can only do as much to help the players utilize the opportunities.
Vipers suffered a 1-0 defeat to Simba at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, on Saturday, to extend their dismal run in front of goal to five games in the CAF Champions League.
The Venoms have also accumulated 540 minutes without scoring in all competitions since Bianchi took over in January.
Vipers has scored just eight goals in their last 12 games in all competitions. They have also scored more than one goal on just five occasions in 19 games since the start of the season.
In contrast, they failed to score more than once on eight occasions in 30 league games and failed to score in only three games throughout last season.
“I am the coach. I don’t score goals,” Bianchi lamented after the game, adding; “I give chances, and I make the approach and tactics, but it is not my duty to score the goals.”
“I am also worried about the run that we are currently undergoing. And we have tried as a group to end it, but it is frustrating that we have not yet got things right at the moment.”
“There are promising signs. But we have to create a difference. We need to improve in situations like one against one, and also in the final third of the game because that is where we can affect the game.”
“I cannot blame any player. As a coach, you always take the blame when things are not going well. That is the way it is in every part of the world. But my mind is still at peace,” he added.
Bianchi’s side started the game with purpose and intent. They had a penalty appeal waved off by referee Celso Alvacao after Yunus Ssentamu went down after contact with minimal contact from Simba defender Joash Onyango.
Ssentamu was again at the end of a promising move for the hosts after he was played through by captain Milton Karisa, but he was let down by his first touch.
All of Vipers’ early intent faded in the 20th minute when Henock Inonga Baka sneaked in between defenders Disan Galiwango and Hilary Mukundane to poke in the opening goal of the game.
"We played very well in the first half but Simba just relied on one opportunity to score,” Bianchi noted.
“We tried to change and introduced more attacking players but Simba knew how to defend. We are not getting the balance we need in the final third. We are not making that difference in the box," the Brazilian bemoaned.
The Venoms continued to see a turd more of the ball, and once again threatened through Ssentamu who failed to get around the keeper, while Abdul Lumala’s low effort fizzled past the upright.
The second half had a different script, with Vipers having completely no threat at the Simba goal, per the two subtle penalty claims late in the game.
Vipers is now bottom of Group C with only one point. The two sides meet again on March 8, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania.
But before then, they take a trip to West Nile to face Arua Hill at the Barifa Stadium on March 1.
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