‘Nothing is Done’ - Vipers Coach Not Giving Up Despite Huge CAF Champions League Setback

Vipers suffered a dent in their quest to make it to the CAF Champions League group stages following their defeat to Zambian champions Power Dynamos on Sunday but coach Ivan Minnaert has not lost hope.

The Ugandan champions lost 2-1 at home to the Zambian club with Yunus Sentamu’s goal cancelled out by Kenyan striker Moses Shumah before Derrick Ndahiro scored an own goal to hand the visitors a massive advantage.

Dynamos headed back to Ndolo with two away goals, which leaves Vipers needing to win 2-0 to make it to the group stages of the competition, but while he admits it will be tough, Minnaert feels it is not very much within their reach.

“Hard luck for us because we had a few good chances to score and we didn’t and, in the end, they got two chances in the box and they scored,” Minnaert told the media as per Kawowo Sports.

The Belgian tactician then sent a warning to Power Dynamos ahead of the second leg in Ndola this weekend.

“Of course, we believe 200-percent that nothing is done because of the one goal difference. We need to go there and fight and try to score as soon as possible and I believe we can do it, we are venoms, we are vipers,” he added.

Minnaert also feels his team’s lack of match sharpness is to blame for the loss as his side have only played two competitive fixtures since May, having boycotted league action due to the controversial new Uganda Premier League format that has been contested by a number of teams.

“I don’t believe we lacked match fitness because even with the late minutes, we pressed high up the pitch to try and find the equaliser,” he added.

Vipers had beaten African Stars of Namibia 1-0 in the first preliminary round before setting up the two-legged meeting with Power Dynamos.