Vipers SC will have a huge mountain to climb in their CAF Champions League contest against Power Dynamos after falling to the Zambian outfit on Sunday.
In the first leg of the second preliminary round played at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, the Venoms squandered the lead to eventually lose 2-1.
Yunus Junior Sentamu gave Vipers the lead early on in the second half, but goals from Moses Shuma and Derrick Ndahiro (own goal) guided the visitors to victory.
The first half was cagey, with either side getting very few scoring opportunities.
The biggest chance of the first stanza arrived at the stroke of halftime when Willard Mwanza had to make a double save to deny both Ssentamu and Milton Karisa in quick succession.
Two minutes into the second half, Sentamu found the back of the net, capitalizing on a goal melee after Power Dynamos failed to clear the lines.
Power Dynamos, however, were able to level matters in the 53rd minute with Shuma capitalizing on the indecisiveness of the defenders and goalkeeper Derrick Kiggundu.
Shuma pounced onto the loose ball with full effort at the near post to find the back of the net.
Vipers rang changes, bringing on Enock Ssebagala and debutant Arafat Usama Kizza, who replaced Karim Watambala and Odili Chwukuma, respectively.
With 13 minutes to go, Power Dynamos took the lead, with Ndahiro scoring into his own net. A cross from the left wing beat goalkeeper Kiggundu who had come off his line and the ball hit onto Ndahiro’s feet to go into his own net.
Despite efforts from Vipers to at least salvage a point, the visitors defended resiliently to claim victory.
The two teams will face off on Friday in Kitwe, with the winner on aggregate progressing to the group stage of the competition.
