Vipers SC head coach Denis Lavagne is refusing to look too far forward as his aspect begins its CAF Champions League marketing campaign, with the Frenchman setting a modest goal of reaching the group stage earlier than excited about what comes subsequent.
Vipers host Mauritanian champions FC Nouadhibou at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Saturday within the first leg of the preliminary spherical.
Whereas the Venoms are chasing a spot within the group stage, Lavagne doesn’t need his gamers weighed down by speak of profitable the competitors.
As a substitute, he desires them to take care of every stage because it comes.
“Goal is to succeed in group levels. After that, the goal shall be to win a recreation, after which take it one recreation at a time,” Lavagne stated.
It’s a cautious strategy from the 62-year-old, who’s nicely conscious of the dimensions of the duty going through Vipers in Africa.
The Ugandan champions have spent a part of their preparations taking part in in opposition to worldwide opposition, together with Kenyan champions Gor Mahia and Rwandan giants APR.
Vipers gained in opposition to Gor Mahia however suffered defeat to APR, giving Lavagne an early indication of the place his workforce stands forward of the continental take a look at.
“We now have ready nicely. Did nicely in opposition to worldwide groups like Gor Mahia. Solely misplaced in opposition to APR,” he stated.
Nevertheless, the coach is aware of Nouadhibou will carry a unique problem when the aggressive motion begins.
The primary leg at Kitende is especially essential, with Vipers trying to take a bonus to the return match in Mauritania.
“A tough recreation as a result of all of the groups on this competitors are huge. We have to give a giant efficiency and guarantee we assume early benefit,” Lavagne added.
For a membership that has ambitions of constructing a mark on the continent, the temptation is to look past the opening tie. Lavagne, nonetheless, is conserving his ft firmly on the bottom.
Requested about profitable the Champions League, he was unwilling to make such a promise.
“I can’t say win the competitors, I don’t assume no Ugandan workforce has gained it.”
That leaves Vipers with a simple process for now: get previous Nouadhibou and hold their group-stage ambitions alive.
Something past that, in keeping with Lavagne, can wait.
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