Vipers SC head coach Denis Lavagne has described the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup as the ideal platform to prepare his side for the new season, insisting the Venoms will still be determined to begin the campaign on a winning note.
The Ugandan champions open their Group A campaign on Friday against Djibouti’s GC Garde Républicaine at Amahoro Stadium, with regional heavyweights APR FC of Rwanda and Kenya’s Gor Mahia also lying in wait in what promises to be a fiercely competitive pool.
While Vipers’ long-term focus remains the CAF Champions League, Lavagne believes the regional tournament presents a valuable opportunity to fine-tune his squad ahead of the demanding season.
“The CECAFA tournament is very good preparation for us and we have to do our best to win the game when we play,” Lavagne said.
The French tactician admitted his side is still building fitness and rhythm during pre-season but pointed out that every team enters the tournament under similar circumstances.
“The main objective of the club is the Champions League, but CECAFA is a very good tournament. We are not ready but all the teams are in the same situation.”
Lavagne also revealed he will carefully manage the workload of his players throughout the competition to minimise the risk of injuries, with the bigger challenges of the season still to come.
“We have to manage the time of the players in the game. I don’t want players to play too much and get injuries.”
Despite treating the tournament as an important phase of pre-season, the Vipers coach stressed that results still matter, as he wants his team to build confidence and momentum before the domestic and continental campaigns begin.
“We are using this tournament to prepare for the season, but we have to win to start the season with a winning feeling.”
A positive result against GC Garde Républicaine would hand Vipers an early advantage in Group A before tougher tests against APR FC and Gor Mahia, as the Venoms look to balance preparation with the pursuit of regional silverware.
