Uganda Premier League side Vipers has bolstered their technical team by acquiring Brazilian-cum-Portuguese gaffer Jose Esdras Costa Lopez.

Lopez joins the Kitende-based side on a two-year employment contract and his tenure got underway last week.

The development was revealed on Thursday, October 12 via a statement released on the official website of Vipers SC.

“In a bid to boost the coaching department, we have appointed Brazilian-cum-Portuguese coach Jose Esdras Costa Lopez who assumed duties last week,” the statement partly read.

Lopes has a thrilling CV having coached different sides across the globe including being head coach of Thailand.

He has previously coached 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 also had other coaching spells at 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 is not new on the African continent after a stint at Petro Atletico de Luanda (Angola) as an assistant and physical coach in 2004, Smouha SC in Egypt as an assistant head coach in the 2017/18 season.

Esdras will be expected to work with Leonard Neiva to put up a strong Vipers’ side who seek to win the UPL title for the third time running as well as regain a spot at the continent.