Two-time Ugandan champions Vipers SC defeated Enyimba 1-0 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round on Friday.
Erisa Sekisambu’s goal in the last 20 minutes was enough for the Ugandan club to take a goal advantage into the second leg in Port Harcourt in a fortnight.
Paul Aigbogun, head coach of two-time African champions, named a startlist and bench without Mfon Udoh with Christian Pyagbara anchoring their attack.
Vipers head coach George Nsimbe included two of Uganda’s national team players, Kizito Keziron and Sekisambu, among his outfield players with Moses Alitho in goal.
The Ugandans had the first say with some good early spells and Mike Mutyaba almost stole the lead inside the opening 15 minutes but his effort from a free kick missed the target by inches.
It was the turn of Halid Lwaliwa to miss from a volley after a fine build-up in Enyimba’s area.
Then within the space of seconds, the Peoples Elephant created anxious moments for their hosts who had their hearts in their mouths.
Pyagbara did well to evade two of his markers but could not apply the finish.
Enyimba captain Chinedu Udoji watched in agony as his headed attempt was cleared off the line.
Andrew Abalogu was the biggest culprit when he failed to convert Pyagbara’s perfect pass into an empty goal just a minute to the half hour mark.
After the first 45 minutes the Peoples Elephant looked capable of stealing the show at the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium in Kampala.
On the hour mark, Sekisambu spurned the best chance of a cagey second half.
Twelve minutes later, the Ugandan international midfielder made no mistake when he brilliantly fired the ball past Theophilus Afelokhai for the winner.
Aigbogun’s attempt to salvage a draw witnessed the introduction of Stephen Chukwude for Pyagbara in the 85th minute.
Nsimbe’s men held out for the last five minutes and added time to claim a goal victory over their more illustrious opponents.
