Vipers SC took a vital step in direction of returning to the CAF Champions League group phases with a hard-fought 1-0 away win over Namibia’s African Stars within the preliminary spherical first leg on Friday.
Performed in Cape City as a result of African Stars’ incapability to safe an acceptable house venue in Namibia, the match noticed the Ugandan champions make their intentions clear early on because the decisive second got here within the thirteenth minute when Hilary Mukundane inadvertently redirected Karim Watambala’s long-range effort into the online, giving the Venoms an early lead.
Regardless of the early dominance, Vipers have been made to work for his or her victory as African Stars grew into the sport, making use of sustained strain within the second half in the hunt for an equaliser. Nonetheless, the Venoms’ defence held agency, displaying composure and self-discipline to protect their slender lead till the ultimate whistle.
The end result palms Vipers a invaluable first-leg benefit as they return to Uganda with the higher hand.
A draw within the second leg, set to be performed at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende subsequent week, will probably be sufficient to see them by means of to the second preliminary spherical.
Awaiting them will probably be a more durable take a look at both Zambia’s Energy Dynamos or Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas.
Vipers are searching for a return to the CAF Champions League group stage for the primary time since their historic 2022/23 marketing campaign, the place they famously knocked out TP Mazembe and later confronted continental heavyweights Raja Casablanca, Horoya AC, and Simba SC.
