Can Vipers break CAF League jinx?

What the report says

Vipers SC are set to start their CAF Champions League campaign on Saturday, September 5, when they host Mauritanian club Nouadhibou FC at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, according to The Observer. The Ugandan champions go into the tie after a 1-0 league defeat to Entebbe UPPC last weekend, a result that adds pressure as they look to begin their continental season with a positive result.

The Observer says Vipers have strengthened during the transfer window as they prepare for French coach Denis Lavagne’s first major continental assignment with the club. The changes have included bringing in Gabonese goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba, Nigerian defender Princewill Biweribo, Congolese defender Kevin Dasylva, midfielder Joel Sserunjogi from KCCA FC, and attacker Odili Chukwuma, while also relying on established names such as Milton Karisa, Farouk Miya, Caesar Manzoki, Karim Watambala, Enock Ssebaggala, Marvin Youngman, Yunus Ssentamu and Gusto Mulongo.

The report frames the match as an important test of whether Vipers can avoid repeating last season’s problems in continental competition, when adjusting to new ideas and approaches reportedly hurt their campaign. It also notes that Nouadhibou reached this round after defeating Fundacion Bata of Equatorial Guinea in the previous stage, setting up a closely matched contest. The game matters because progress in the CAF Champions League can move clubs closer to the group stage and the financial rewards that come with it.