Vipers SC has sealed a double over African Stars of Namibia, winning 1-0 in the return leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
The crucial goal was scored by Yunus Sentamu at the 30-minute mark, capitalizing on a defensive mistake by the visitors.
Sentamu’s goal was the result of a beautifully executed play, where Milton Karisa successfully beat the African Stars’ press, allowing the team’s defense to struggle with clearing the ball.
This created an opportunity for Sentamu to slot the ball home, giving Vipers SC a vital lead.
Vipers SC coach Jacky Ivan Minnaert made two significant changes to the team that started the first leg against African Stars in Athlone a week ago.
Sentamu and Liberian Robin Kane were brought in, with Sentamu repaying the coach’s faith by scoring the winning goal.
Despite being the better side, African Stars struggled to capitalize on their chances, particularly in the first half.
They missed a one-on-one situation and hit the post, ultimately failing to score.
With this win, Vipers SC advances to the next round on a 2-0 aggregate win after a 1-0 victory in the first leg.
They will face the winner between Zambia’s Power Dynamos and Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas.
The Uganda Premier League champions demonstrated their ability to manage the game effectively, securing a well-deserved reward for their efforts ¹.
