CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Second round preliminaries

First leg result

Vipers SC 0-0 TP Mazembe

Second leg

Saturday, October 15

TP Mazembe vs Vipers SC

Uganda’s Vipers SC have it all to do in Lubumbashi this weekend following their CAF Champions League goalless draw with DRC’s TP Mazembe at Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Saturday.

Both teams had their chances but the visitors showed a little more control and assuredness on the ball in this first leg of the second round preliminaries. The winner over the two legs will advance to the group stage. 

Vipers pushed, with Abdu Lumala, their biggest threat on the day, showing great improvisation in tight area but the visitors held firm.

Olivier Osomba, one of the two Congolese who started for Vipers including goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza, did just fine alongside Siraje Sentamu and Najib Yiga in the middle, and he had one incisive run only for his powerful shot to sail over the bar.

Mubiru, Murushid Juuko, Livingston Mulondo and Ashraf Mandela did their best to close down Wilfred Nkaya, Jepht Kitambala and Merceil Vumbi.

Milton Karisa and Yunus Sentamu did the probing for vipers the other end, later joined by Abubaker Lawal and co. 

In the middle of the park, it was the touch and control of Mazembe’s jersey 24, Zemanga Soze, who played with poise and class.

Ernest Luzolo Nsita’s fierce drive then forced the best out of Mudekereza in Vipers goal as the clock wound down.

But in the end, a goalless result was all both sides would afford. They face off again on October 15 in Lubumbashi.