Vipers SC’s quest for a place in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage came to an agonising end after a 1-1 draw against Power Dynamos in Ndola on Friday, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate defeat in the second preliminary round.
Having lost 2-1 at home in the first leg in Uganda, the reigning Uganda Premier League (UPL) champions travelled to Zambia needing victory to overturn the deficit. They produced a determined performance but were ultimately undone by Power Dynamos’ composure and defensive discipline.
After a cautious first half at Arthur Davies Stadium, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 68th minute through Moses Shumah, extending Power’s aggregate advantage and leaving Vipers with a mountain to climb.
Refusing to give up, the Ugandan champions rallied late in the game. Abdul Karim Watambala struck ten minutes from time to level the score and reignite hopes of forcing extra time. The Venoms poured forward in search of a decisive second goal, but Power Dynamos held firm under pressure, displaying grit and organisation to preserve the draw and secure their long-awaited return to the CAF Champions League group stage.
For Vipers, the result brought heartbreak as their spirited fightback fell just short, with mistakes from the first leg ultimately proving costly. Their continental journey ends earlier than hoped, but the focus now turns back home.
Vipers will regroup quickly as they prepare to kick off their Startimes Uganda Premier League title defence next Saturday against newly promoted Entebbe UPPC FC at Bugonga. Coach Charles Livingstone Mbabazi and his squad will be eager to channel the disappointment from continental elimination into a strong domestic campaign.
The CAF Champions League group stage draw takes place on Monday, 3 November 2025.