Vipers SC skipper Milton Karisa has set his sights on delivering a commanding display when the Venoms host African Stars of Namibia in the CAF Champions League preliminary round return leg this Saturday at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
Speaking to the press on the eve of the fixture, Karisa underlined the joy of stepping onto the pitch in front of the club’s passionate supporters at the dawn of a new season.
“It is always a pleasure playing before our home fans,” the captain said, acknowledging the special atmosphere awaiting the team.
Vipers brace for decisive CAF Champions League clash at Kitende
Vipers enter the clash with a slender advantage, having edged the Namibian outfit 1-0 away from home courtesy of Hilary Mukundane’s early strike in Cape Town. But Karisa was quick to dismiss any sense of complacency, insisting the Venoms must treat the encounter as a fresh challenge.
“We come into the game having won 1-0 away. Now, that is in the past. This is now a new game altogether. The main focus is on the game at hand. We need positive results, and we expect home support,” he stressed.
💬 “We have the advantage, but it means nothing if we don’t finish the job. We will give everything to progress in-front of our fans.”
🗞️ Milton Karisa lifts the lid on the mood in the camp ahead of tomorrow’s clash with African Stars FC ⤵️#VenomsUpdates || #OneTeamOneDream || pic.twitter.com/0mnHKsyLkS
— 𝐕𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 (@VipersSC) September 26, 2025
For Karisa, continental football represents more than just a match, it is an opportunity for both the players and Ugandan football at large to shine on a bigger stage.
“Playing continental football is a big honour for us players. As Vipers, we are representing the country on the continent and a viable platform to showcase our full potentiality as we market ourselves. We shall therefore give our best and therefore call all fans regardless of their clubs to support us,” he remarked.
With a place in the second round up for grabs, the Venoms will qualify if they secure either a win or a draw of any kind. Awaiting them in the next stage are continental heavyweights, either Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosa or Zambia’s Power Dynamos.
