Sunday, September 13, 2026
Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya, Nouakchott | 8pm EAT
First leg: Vipers 1-1 Nouadhibou
Vipers must produce a markedly improved performance in Nouakchott on Sunday if they are to keep their CAF Champions League campaign alive against Mauritanian champions Nouadhibou.
The Venoms head into the second leg knowing that the 1-1 draw at Kitende has left the tie delicately poised, with little margin for error against a side that has built an imposing record on home soil.
Denis Lavagne’s charges were below their best in the first meeting and will need to correct the lapses that allowed Nouadhibou to leave Uganda with a valuable away draw.
Captain Milton Karisa, who was introduced late in the first leg, believes the experience has provided the team with important lessons ahead of the decisive return fixture.
“We have really tried, but a few mistakes on the pitch cost us and we conceded. We have had a good experience for the return leg,” Karisa told club media.
The skipper has urged his teammates to remain composed and draw confidence from the lessons of the first encounter.
“Every day we get better. Whether we meet them again today or tomorrow, I urge my fellow players to stay motivated.”
Karisa added: “It is a learning moment for us. We have to pick ourselves up, remain motivated and focus on the return leg. We know what is at stake and we have to believe that we can get a positive result in Nouakchott.”
The task, however, is formidable.
Nouadhibou are unbeaten in their last 25 home matches in all competitions, winning 16 and drawing nine.
Four of those nine stalemates have ended goalless, a result that would send Vipers out on Sunday.
Vipers must therefore avoid another passive display and find a way to score if they are to take control of the tie.
A victory would send the Ugandan champions through to the next round, while a scoring draw of 2-2 or higher would also be enough to advance.
A repeat of the 1-1 scoreline would force the tie into a penalty shootout, while a goalless draw would eliminate the Venoms.
Progression would set up a meeting with the winner of the other preliminary-round tie between Nigeria’s Rivers United and Ivory Coast’s San Pedro.
Lavagne is expected to retain much of the starting XI from the first leg, although the midfield remains one area where he could alter his approach.
The French coach must decide whether to retain the double pivot of Marvin Youngman and Joel Sserunjogi, or revert to the more attacking combination of Karim Watambala and Farouk Miya, who operated as two No.10s in the opening encounter.
Both clubs know what is at stake. Vipers reached the CAF Champions League group stage in 2023, while Nouadhibou achieved the same feat in 2024.
For the Venoms, Sunday is ultimately a test of whether they can turn the lessons of Kitende into a performance strong enough to conquer Nouakchott.
