Vipers have strengthened their technical team with the acquisition of Brazilian-cum-Portuguese coach Jose Esdras Costa Lopez.
He joined the Venoms on two year deal as an assistant coach and commenced work last week.
He is the second Brazilian tactician on Vipers technical team after their head coach Leonardo Martins Neiva.
Lopez, 65, joins other assistant coaches including Richard Wasswa, Richard Bakabulindi Kasule, Ibrahim Mugisha and Democratic Republic of Congo native Lukusa Kayembe Raoul.
He comes with a lot coaching experience starting from late 1980s as head coach of Sao Cristovao Futebol e Regatas in Brazil (1987-1990).
He was also in the same position at SC Rucife, Fluminense FC, America FC, Goias SC, SC Bahia, Caldense SC, Mogi Mirim ES, Verdy Kawzaki in Japan, Al Wasl Club in UAE, Al Saad in Qatar and Club Alianza Lima in Peru.
Lopez had coaching roles with Uberaba SC, Botafogo Football de Regatas, Sharja SC (UAE), Gremio Esportivo Juventus, Al Shabab Al Arabi (UAE), Al Garaga in Qatar, Al Shorta in Iraq and Muharraq SC in Bahrain.
He was also assistant coach at Petro Atletico de Luanda (Angola) and physical coach in 2004, assistant coach with Egyptian side SC during the 2017/18 season and as head coach of Thailand between 2003-2004.
He was recently in charge of Taguatinga Esporte Clube as a Physical Coach in Brazil between December 2021 to March 2022.
During his playing days, he featured for Fluminense (1973-1977), Olaria FC (1978-1980) and Estrala do norte (1981) in Brazil.
He also played for Oliveirense (1981-1982) and Maritimo between 1983-1984, with both sides in Portugal.
Courtesy Photos
