Vipers SC are safely through to the second stage of the CAF Champions League qualifiers after a composed 1-0 win over African Stars on Saturday evening in Kitende sealed a 2-0 triumph across two legs.
The tie was finally settled midway through the second half when Namibiaโs rearguard fatally hesitated under pressure. Milton Karisa pressed high, forcing an error that left the ball sitting kindly for Yunus Sentamu. The striker needed no second invitation, rifling in with characteristic composure to confirm the Venomsโ progress.
That strike reflected the rhythm of a match in which Vipers always looked the likelier side. Still, the hosts were momentarily shaken on the half-hour when Edgar Kamatuka unleashed a thunderous effort that thudded against the post, goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora stranded. It was the closest Stars came to changing the complexion of the contest.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ฟ ๐๐๐๐๐ฟ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐พ๐ผ๐ ๐พ๐๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ผ๐๐๐!!! โ๐ฟ#TotalEnergiesCAFCL || #VenomsUpdates || #OneTeamOneDream || pic.twitter.com/gFwgHxuNgo
โ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ (@VipersSC) September 27, 2025
From there, the Ugandan champions tightened their grip, controlling the midfield through Bobosi Byaruhangaโs slick distribution and the energy of Bright Anukani. Sentamu later spurned a chance to widen the score when, clean through, he dragged his finish past the far upright. But by then, the visitorsโ resistance had already ebbed away.
Head coach Jacky Ivan Minnaert shuffled his pack from the first leg, restoring Sentamu to lead the line and giving Liberian striker Robin Kane a rare start.
Both worked tirelessly before making way for fresh legs as Karisa and Marvin Youngman helped see out the closing stages with minimum fuss.
Congratulations, Kevin Dasylva Bady ๐จ๐ฉ – last nightโs Man of the Match, as chosen by the Vipers fans… ๐๐ฟ#VenomsUpdates || #OneTeamOneDream || pic.twitter.com/UCDO4fUmIp
โ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ (@VipersSC) September 28, 2025
Attention now shifts to the next hurdle, where Vipers will collide with either Zambiaโs Power Dynamos or Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas โ a much sterner examination of their continental credentials.
Vipers starting XI: Kiggundu (GK); Mandela, Dasylva, Mukundane, Luyima; Lwanga, Ssebagala, Watambala (Ndahiro 90+3); Okello ยฉ (Ogwang 90+3); Sentamu (Youngman 75), Robin (Karisa 58).
Unused subs: Mudekereza (GK), Torach, Mbowa, Mulongo, Chukwuma.
