Overview:
“We even had chances to score (more). 1-0 isn’t a big advantage and it’s all to play for next week in Kitende,” Vipers SC coach Ivan Minnaert.
CAF Champions League Preliminary Round
African Stars FC (Namibia) 0-1 Vipers SC (Uganda)
Return Leg: St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende | Sept 27, 2025
Vipers SC head coach Ivan Minnaert warned his side’s 1-0 away win over African Stars in the CAF Champions League preliminary round is no guarantee of progress, saying the tie remains wide open ahead of next week’s return leg.
“We were well prepared and managed the second half well,” Minnaert said after Friday’s game in Cape Town.
“We even had chances to score (more). But 1-0 isn’t a big advantage and it’s all to play for next week in Kitende.”
The Ugandan champions struck early at Athlone Stadium, when defender Hilary Mukundane diverted Karim Watambala’s long-range effort beyond goalkeeper Michael James in the 13th minute.
Vipers dominated the first half and nearly doubled their lead, only for Vevangapi Mbuende to produce a spectacular goalline clearance to deny Gusto Mulongo.
African Stars came out stronger after the break, forcing Vipers goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu into a sharp stop from Godwin Eiseb.
Substitute Yunus Sentamu later missed a golden chance in stoppage time to extend the advantage after rounding the goalkeeper.
Vipers will defend their slender lead in the second leg at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on September 27.