CAF Champions League
Sunday Result
Vipers SC 1-2 Power Dynamos FC
Next Fixture – Return Leg
Power Dynamos FC vs Vipers SC
CAF Champions League – Second Preliminary Round (Second Leg)
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Venue: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Kitwe (Zambia)
Vipers SC’s quest for a place in the CAF Champions League group stages suffered a setback on Sunday evening as they fell 2–1 to Zambia’s Power Dynamos FC in the first leg of the second preliminary round at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
Under the Kitende floodlights and buoyed by a raucous home crowd, the Venoms looked set to secure an important advantage when skipper Yunus Junior Sentamu struck early in the second half.
However, two costly defensive errors proved decisive as the Zambian champions fought back to claim a crucial away win.
The opening half was a tight tactical contest, with both sides testing each other’s organization and patience.
Vipers carved out the better chances — Sentamu and Milton Karisa both came close — but were denied by Power Dynamos’ goalkeeper Willard Mwanza, who pulled off a brilliant double save to keep the visitors level at the break.
Two minutes after the restart, Kitende erupted. Sentamu pounced on a loose ball after a mix-up in the Power Dynamos defence to bury his effort from close range and hand Vipers a deserved 1–0 lead.
But the advantage didn’t last. The visitors equalised almost immediately when Moses Shuma capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot home from inside the box.
The tie turned cruelly against the Venoms in the 77th minute when left-back Derrick Ndahiro, attempting to clear a dangerous cross, inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net — handing Power Dynamos a fortuitous winner.
Head coach Ivan Jacky Minnaert responded with attacking changes, introducing Arafat Usama Kizza for his debut and pushing men forward in search of an equaliser.
Despite the late surge and sustained pressure, the hosts couldn’t find a breakthrough.
It was a night of frustration for the Ugandan champions, who must now regroup and prepare for a decisive return leg in Kitwe, Zambia this Friday.
To progress to the CAF Champions League group stages, Vipers will need a strong response — a win by at least two clear goals to overturn the deficit and keep their continental dream alive.