Vipers' coach Neiva admits selection headache

Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC boast by far the biggest squad depth, and it comes along with enviable quality across the pitch.

Every position at the club is marred with over two quality players, which naturally means many of them are bound to a lot less than they deserve.

And head coach Leonard Martins Neiva has conceded he is always perplexed by who will make the team on a given match-day.

"So many players are back to full fitness, and so, it's not easy to organize (select) the lineup," Neiva acknowledged.

However, he also made it clear it's a good headache because he has excellent quality to choose from.

"But even then, I'm very satisfied because if I have a big headache setting up the lineup, it's because they give me very good options," Neiva said.

"We have amazing players like Abdu (Lumala), Yunus (Sentamu), Karim Watambala, Karisa (Milton), Bright (Anukani), Allan (Okello), Bagoole (David) and others."

"And we are satisfied that they're comfortable because they know they can come in when others don't play."

Meanwhile, bidding to make it three UPL victories in a row, the Vipers welcome Kitara FC at the St Mary's Stadium, floodlights on Thursday.

The Venoms have won each of their previous two games, 2-0 and 1-0, over URA FC and UPDF FC, respectively and will want to extend that excellent run.

While Vipers sit second with 20 points, Kitara follows closely in third with 19 points, and the winner will close in on leaders BUL FC, who are on 25 points.

Previously in the league, Vipers and Kitara met just two times, and we won both encounters.

Paul Mucureezi and Dan Sserunkuma were on target for the Venoms in their first-ever meeting with Kitara in 2020 at Kitende.

In the reverse fixture away, the Kitende side comfortably won 3-0, courtesy of a Yunus Sentamu brace and one from Mucureezi.