Vipers SC have discovered the path to the CAF Champions League group stage following Thursday’s preliminary-round draw conducted in Cairo, Egypt.
The Venoms have been drawn against Mauritanian champions FC Nouadhibou in the first preliminary round, with the first leg set to be played at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, before we travel to Mauritania for the return fixture a week later.
CAF has scheduled the first-leg matches for September 4–6, while the return legs will be played between September 11 and 13.
Victory over Nouadhibou would see us progress to the second preliminary round, where we will face either Nigeria’s Rivers United or Côte d’Ivoire’s San Pedro for a place in the prestigious group stage.
Those decisive fixtures are scheduled for October 16–18, with the return legs taking place between October 23 and 25.
Our team heads into this year’s campaign determined to make another deep run in Africa’s premier club competition after last season’s journey ended in the second preliminary round against Zambia’s Power Dynamos.
The Venoms have previously reached the CAF Champions League group stage once, achieving the historic milestone during the 2022/23 campaign, and will be aiming to replicate that feat this season.
Hosting the opening leg at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende offers us an opportunity to build a strong foundation before the challenging trip to Mauritania. Should we overcome Nouadhibou, we will stand just one tie away from returning to the continent’s biggest club stage.
With the qualifying route now confirmed, preparations continue as we set our sights on another memorable CAF Champions League campaign, beginning in September.