By Ugandan Premier League champions Vipers SC have made a strong statement of ambition ahead of the new season with the appointment of experienced Belgian tactician Ivan Jacky Minnaert as head coach.
The club officially unveiled Minnaert on Friday through its website, highlighting its determination to build on last season’s historic league and cup double.
“Vipers Sports Club have unveiled the vastly experienced Belgian manager, Ivan Jacky Minnaert, as head coach,” the club said in a statement.
Minnaert, a seasoned globetrotter in football management, joins Vipers fresh off leading Fassell FC to the Liberian championship. His diverse coaching career spans top-tier clubs across Africa and Europe, including Libya’s Al-Ittihad Tripoli, Spain’s Union Estepona CF, Kenya’s AFC Leopards, Rwanda’s Rayon Sport, and more.
He now takes the reins at Kitende, working alongside John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda and Fred Muhumuza, the duo who successfully guided Vipers to domestic dominance last season. While Luyinda and Muhumuza formed a solid co-coaching partnership, the club has opted to restructure its technical bench, placing Minnaert at the helm to inject fresh international expertise.
The move underscores Vipers SC’s resolve to not only maintain their position at the summit of Ugandan football but also compete more aggressively on the continental stage.
With an already proven support team and a highly decorated head coach now in place, the Venoms are clearly eyeing even greater success in the upcoming season.
