FC Nouadhibou ended Vipers SC’s journey in the First Preliminary Round of the CAF Champions League following a goalless draw at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya on Sunday evening. The Mauritanian outfit advanced on the away goals rule following a 1–1 aggregate draw.
Vipers started promisingly, forcing an early set-piece opportunity in the 10th minute when Farouk Miya was brought down just outside the penalty area. However, Miya’s execution failed to beat the defensive wall.
Ten minutes later, the Venoms pushed forward through Usama Arafat and Karim Watambala, though the pair struggled to carve out clear-cut opportunities in the final third.
Watambala came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute, but his well-struck attempt dragged just wide of the target.
Usama had a clear opening to break the deadlock three minutes before the interval, but a resolute Nouadhibou defence blocked his strike.
Returning from the break, Vipers stepped up the tempo in search of an elusive opener. Their persistence nearly paid off with five minutes remaining when Watambala picked out Yunus Sentamu. Sentamu expertly beat his marker, but his effort rose just inches over the crossbar.
Vipers’ final lifeline arrived in stoppage time when skipper Milton Karisa teed up Ceasor Manzoki, but the striker lost his footing at the crucial moment, sealing the Ugandan side’s exit.
With their continental campaign brought to an end, Vipers will now pivot their focus back home to the Uganda Premier League and the Uganda Cup.
