Vipers SC have secured their place in the next round of the CAF Champions League after edging Namibia’s African Stars 1-0 in a tense encounter at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Saturday evening.
The Ugandan champions went into the return leg with a slim but valuable 1-0 advantage from the first meeting played a week ago in Cape Town, South Africa. With the aggregate score finely balanced, the Venoms needed just a controlled performance to finish the job before their home fans — and they delivered.
The breakthrough came in the 61st minute when talismanic striker Yunus Ssentamu found the back of the net with a clinical finish that sent the packed Kitende crowd into wild celebrations. Ssentamu’s strike not only gave the hosts breathing space but also effectively crushed African Stars’ hopes of staging a comeback.
Vipers held firm in the closing stages, managing the game with maturity and composure. The visitors tried to pile pressure in search of an equaliser, but the Venoms’ defence, marshalled by their experienced backline, stood resilient until the final whistle.
The 2-0 aggregate victory underlines Vipers’ growing reputation on the continent, with the club once again showing they can compete beyond Ugandan borders. Progression to the next round also boosts their confidence as they continue to chase history in the CAF Champions League.
Attention now turns to their upcoming opponents. Vipers will face either Zambia’s Power Dynamos or Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas in the next stage. The two sides will meet in their second-leg clash on Sunday, with Dynamos carrying a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
For Vipers, the win is more than just progression — it is a statement of intent. The Kitende-based side will now be aiming to build momentum and push further into the group stages. If Vipers go past the next round they, will qualify for the group stages.
