Vipers SC’s CAF Champions League campaign hit a rocky patch on Sunday after a 2–1 defeat to Zambia’s Power Dynamos at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, in the first leg of the second preliminary round.
Despite taking the lead through captain Yunus Junior Sentamu shortly after half-time, the Ugandan champions crumbled under pressure as defensive errors gifted the Zambians two goals, and a priceless away victory.
The contest began as a cautious chess match, both teams probing but rarely breaking through. Vipers’ front line of Sentamu and Milton Karisa offered glimpses of danger, forcing goalkeeper Willard Mwanza into an outstanding double save just before the break to keep the visitors level.
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Barely two minutes into the second half, Sentamu seized on a defensive mishap to smash home the opener, sending the home crowd into raptures. But their joy was short-lived. A mix-up at the back allowed Moses Shuma to sweep in an equaliser, punishing Vipers’ lapse in concentration.
The night worsened for the Venoms when left-back Derrick Ndahiro’s attempted clearance in the 77th minute deflected agonisingly into his own net, turning celebration into disbelief
Head coach Ivan Minnaert threw on fresh legs, including debutant Arafat Usama Kizza, in a desperate push for redemption, but the Zambian champions held their ground with discipline and resilience.
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The defeat leaves Vipers with an uphill task ahead of Friday’s return leg in Kitwe, where they must summon all their resolve and attacking sharpness to overturn the deficit and keep their group-stage hopes alive.
