Coach George ‘Best’ Nsimbe and Vipers will shift their focus to defending the league title after exiting Africa. PHOTO By Ismail Kezaala
KAMPALA. Ugandan clubs’ recent dismal away record against West African opposition continued on Sunday as Nigerian side Enyimba ejected Vipers at the preliminary round of this season’s Caf Champions League.
Vipers lost 2-0, the sixth consecutive time a Ugandan club is falling to West African opposition on the continent.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg, Vipers who were making their debut on the continent conceded a 28th minute penalty when captain Nicholas Wadada was adjudged to have pulled down Ikechukwu Ibenegbu in the box.
Mfon Udoh stepped up and converted the penalty to level the tie on aggregate in a game played at Port Harcourt, due to ongoing repair works at the home team’s traditional home ground in Aba.
He then added his second just after the hour mark, to put the Nigerians also double winners of this competition in 2003 and 2004 ahead for the first time in the tie.
Vipers had made only one change from the team that started the first leg a fortnight ago with Allan Kyambadde starting in place of John Ssemazzi. Despite piling on the pressure late on, they were unable to fashion any clear-cut opportunities even after Ssemazzi and Pius Wanji replaced Patrick Ssembuya and Mike Mutyaba respectively. Enyimba will now face Burundi’s Vital’O who ejected Liolifrom Lesotho.
Vipers meanwhile are expected back in the country today to resume their title defence in the Azam Uganda Premier League.
Second leg result
Enyimba (Nigeria) 2-0 Vipers
(Vipers ejected 2-1 on aggregate)
essenono@ug.nationmedia.com
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