CAF CL: Patrick Ochan advised SC Vipers ahead of their clash against his former side, TP Mazembe
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Startimes Uganda premier league champions, SC vipers host TP Mazembe in the CAF CL preliminary round 2 in the 1st leg that will be played at the St Mary stadium, kitende in Uganda on 9th of October 2022 at 4 PM.
In the 1st round of the CAF CL, Vipers eliminated Olympique Real De Bangui on a 4-0 aggregate and thereafter qualified for round 2 where they face TP Mazembe of DRC.
Rab Sports News had an interview with former TP mazembe midfielder, Patrick Ochan to give a piece of advice to Vipers SC ahead of the big clash.
I am Patrick Ochan (master), former Uganda cranes international and TP Mazembe midfielder Patrick in Congo where I played for 3 and half seasons so I quite know it well. When they are playing at home, they use a 4-3-3 system and 4-5-1 during away games but they always use it in North African countries because teams are more offensive that side.
Back to the vipers Sc game, the Congo-based side have an upper hand because of the experience they have in the CAF champions league but the good news for the venoms is that the current TP mazembe ain’t that balanced like the one back in the day that had competition from talented players where most have moved to Europe, France and most recently Joseph Ochaya who moved to Egypt. They would demolish any opponent in such continental games. However, if Vipers play together as a team not under pressure to eliminate Katumbi’s boys, it’s very possible because they have whatever it takes as a team.
My advice to vipers is that they should close up spaces so fast to block attacks because TP Mazembe always uses fullbacks that are so offensive and even their midfielders play fewer touches and then spread the ball to the wings. TP Mazembe shouldn’t be given a chance to put the ball at the back of the net because the aim to score 1 goal and defend it so that they later seal it at home during the return leg.
Vipers is a good team and it can compete on the continent the mere fact it has both home and foreign players, if the coach selected the team well, they can hunt down TP Mazembe.
To the vipers’ players, they should come strong, so aggressive, committed, and angry. With such big games, they help market players and so here is an opportunity for these guys to turn professional. It’s through such competitions that Bwana Ali Samatta and I joined TP Mazembe, we played against them while we were in Simba SC of Tanzania.
I wish Vipers good luck ahead of this game against TP mazembe.
Match on the 9th/ 10 / 2022 in the CAF CL preliminary round 2. 1st leg.
Vipers SC Vs TP Mazembe, 4 PM at St Mary’s Stadium, kitende.