By Vipers Sports Club | 18th July 2025
Vipers Sports Club has ushered in a new dawn with the appointment of globally seasoned Belgian tactician, Ivan Jacky Minnaert, as head coach on a permanent basis. The 58-year-old arrives with a reputation for turning clubs into continental contenders and has inked a long-term deal aimed at transforming the Ugandan giants into a formidable force both domestically and in CAF competitions.
Minnaert brings with him an enviable résumé built over two decades of high-level coaching across Europe and Africa. Most recently, he led Fassell Football Club to the Liberian Premier League title, finishing an impressive 11 points clear of their closest challengers, Heaven Eleven FC. Prior to that, he masterminded Al-Ittihad Tripoli’s league triumph in Libya during the 2020/21 season, further cementing his status as a serial winner on the African continent.
Supporting him in this new chapter are trusted tacticians John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda and Fred Muhumuza, who orchestrated Vipers SC’s historic domestic double in the 2024/25 season. The pair will remain integral members of the technical bench, ensuring tactical continuity while infusing the squad with Minnaert’s internationally refined methodology. The combination of local success and global insight sets the stage for a dynamic partnership on the touchline.
Minnaert’s vast coaching footprint includes notable stints at Union Estepona CF and CD San Roque in Spain, Djoliba AC of Mali, AFC Leopards in Kenya, and Rayon Sport FC in Rwanda, where he had two highly successful tenures. His career has also seen him lead AS Kaloum Star in Guinea, Mukura Victory FC in Rwanda, and Black Leopards FC in South Africa. A holder of the UEFA Pro License, Minnaert’s technical acumen and leadership credentials are unmatched.
With a proven track record in CAF interclub competitions—3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss in the CAF Champions League, and 4 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses in the Confederation Cup, plus 2 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss in group stage battles, Minnaert is expected to steer the Venoms to greater heights on the continental stage. His arrival marks a significant statement of intent by Vipers SC, signaling a bold pursuit of regional dominance and international recognition.
