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“He’s working extremely hard, but we have to be patient with him.”
That is Vipers SC coach Denis Lavagne’s message as César Manzoki prepares to make his long awaited return against FC Nouadhibou in the CAF Champions League.
Manzoki is back in the squad, but Lavagne says the striker is not yet ready to start as Vipers begin their continental campaign at Kitende.
L-R: Usama Arafat and Ceasor Manzoki
“On Saturday, he could play a part and help the team, but he’s not ready to start,” Lavagne said.
The forward has missed Vipers’ opening matches against Kitara FC in the Super Cup and Entebbe UPPC after arriving at Kitende short of fitness.
“Manzoki arrived when the fitness was low, had so many injuries last season, didn’t play a lot, but step by step, he’s getting there,” Lavagne explained.
For a player whose goals made him a favourite during his first spell at Kitende, the return has taken longer than many supporters expected.
Lavagne, however, is refusing to rush it. Manzoki’s cameo could come at an important moment, with Vipers facing a Nouadhibou side that knows what it takes to go deep in Africa. The Mauritanian champions became the first club from their country to reach the Champions League group stage in 2023/24.
Vipers must eliminate Nouadhibou and then win another two legged tie against either San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire or Nigeria’s Rivers United to reach the group stage.
Their last appearance at that level came in 2022/23, when they became the first Ugandan club since KCCA FC in 2017/18 to reach the group stage.
Now, Vipers are chasing that feeling again and while Manzoki may only get a taste of the action this time, Lavagne believes the comeback must be built carefully.
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