MATCH SUMMARY

CAF Champions League – Preliminary Round — First Leg

Vipers SC 1-1 FC Nouadhibou

Half-time: 1-1

SCORERS

Vipers SC: Hilary Mukundane 3′

FC Nouadhibou: Sidi Ahmed Mohamed 23′

Venue: St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende

Vipers SC were held to a 1-1 draw by Mauritanian champions FC Nouadhibou in the first leg of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round tie at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Saturday.

The Venoms made the perfect start to their continental campaign when Hillary Mukundane rose highest to power home Karim Watambala’s pinpoint free-kick after just two minutes.

But Vipers could not turn that early advantage into a winning cushion, with Nouadhibou responding through Sidi Ahmed Mohamed before the half-hour mark.

Dream beginning

Vipers needed only two minutes to give their home supporters something to celebrate.

Watambala delivered a dangerous free-kick into the Nouadhibou box and Mukundane climbed above the visiting defence to head beyond the goalkeeper and put the hosts in front.

The early goal appeared to settle the Venoms, who sought to dictate the tempo and stretch the Mauritanian champions.

However, Nouadhibou gradually grew into the contest and began threatening from set-pieces of their own.

Their pressure paid off in the 23rd minute when Sidi Ahmed Mohamed met a corner with a powerful header. His effort struck the post before finding its way into the net to restore parity.

Set-piece battle

The equaliser transformed the contest into a closely fought battle for control.

Vipers continued to threaten from dead-ball situations and had promising spells in the attacking third, but the final pass repeatedly failed to unlock a disciplined Nouadhibou defence.

Returning Farouk Miya also had opportunities from free-kick positions but could not find the finishing touch required to restore Vipers’ advantage.

The introduction of Joel Sserunjogi for Joseph Marvin Youngman brought fresh energy and greater control to the Vipers midfield as the hosts increased their search for a winner.

Manzoki drama

Vipers appeared to have found the decisive moment late in the game when substitute Cesar Manzoki, who had replaced Gusto Mulongo shortly after the hour mark, reacted quickly inside the box to finish from close range.

The celebrations at Kitende, however, were short-lived.

The referee ruled that Manzoki had fouled the Nouadhibou goalkeeper in the build-up and disallowed the goal, leaving the contest level.

The Venoms continued to push but could not find another opening before the final whistle.

Everything to play for

The result leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg in Nouakchott.

Vipers will know they missed an opportunity to carry a first-leg advantage to Mauritania, but the 1-1 scoreline means qualification remains firmly within their reach.

The Ugandan champions now face the decisive assignment on the road, where a victory would send them into the second preliminary round.

The task is clear: Vipers must produce another disciplined performance, but this time find the finishing touch that eluded them at Kitende.

The road to the Champions League group stage now runs through Nouakchott.