Vipers SC finally shows up, holds Raja Casablanca to draw

✳ Vipers SC 1-1 Raja Casablanca

St Mary’s Kitende, Uganda | VIPERSSC.CO.UG |  This was the Vipers SC of the old. This was the Vipers that their faithful love to see. This is the Vipers that many will hope shows up for going forward.

Even when they trailed to an early goal, the fans still came through the gates in droves. Even when gilt-edged chances went begging, there were no scowls on the faces of the club’s top hierarchy in the Director’s Box.

Renewed belief

Belief was at high decibels that a new dawn was being ushered with youthful coach Alex ‘Musongola’ Isabirye on the wheel.

And the reward at the end of the Saturday night was a hugely celebrated 1-1 draw with African giants Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League return leg at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

Under the floodlights, with Vipers’ fans, especially the school stand, marching the vociferous North Africans pound for pound for the entire evening, Vipers showed some previously missing venom with everyone pulling in the right direction.

The final result only told half the story.

Early exchanges

After dominating the early period, fate befell Vipers against the run of play. It was Raja Casablanca’s Sofianne Benjdida who calmly slotted home in the 18th minute from a literally nothing situation.

Vipers, though, were going to be bogged down on the night. They refused to push the panic button, like during the first leg in Morocco and instead restructured, followed the process by holding onto the ball more.

The reward came before the breather, in the added minutes as the first half climaxed, when Nigerian forward Abubakar Lawal coolly slotted home an industrious cross from Isa Mubiru – the last piece of action for both teams before heading back to their dressings for halftime.

Chance to kill it off

They never had to bury their hands in the sand but the trio of Martin Kizza, Bright Anukani and Olivier Osomba know they could have done better on a night that truly belonged to Vipers.

⏱️ FULL-TIME!

🇺🇬 @VipersSC 1-1 @RCAofficiel 🇲🇦

Uganda's hosts are the first to stop Raja CA's winning streak this season! 👏#VSCRCA pic.twitter.com/4IdoWIBIaS

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— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) March 18, 2023

Warm thanks to people from Uganda🇺🇬 and @VipersSC for the good hospitality🤝🏻❤️💛
See you soon guys🦅 pic.twitter.com/hwpuOrPv5N

— Raja Club Athletic (@RCAofficiel) March 19, 2023

They orchestrated bold plays and were ambitious going forward. And at regular intervals, each of them had a more-than-decent opportunity to give Vipers the lead by ‘Lady Luck’ momentarily stayed away.

With the clock ticking very fast, the final and most glorious chance of the clash fell to hard-working forward Yunus Sentamu. He struck with ultimate precision to the bottom left corner and as the crowd got onto its feet to see the back of the net shake, Raja Casablanca goalkeeper Marouane Fakhr somewhat got a hand to it and miraculously denied the Venoms what could have been a massive victory.

The Venoms cannot progress to the next round as they lie fourth with two points, with just a game to play (against Horoya AC), but will without doubt be proud of their performance on the evening.

How Vipers Lined Up:

Alfred Mudekereza (GK), Isa Mubiru, Ashraf Mandela, Hilary Mukundane, Livingstone Mulondo, Siraje Sentamu (C), Olivier Osomba, Bright Anukani, Yunus Sentamu, Abubakar Lawal, Martin Kizza.

Substitutions: Fabien Mutombora, Bashir Asiku, Serge Robert Mwenge, Desire Tety, Abdu Lumala, Ibrahim Orit.

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SOURCE: VIPERS MEDIA

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Group C standings