Advantage Vipers

Ssekisambu (R) gets the better of Enyimba defender Ojo Oluna Damilase during the first leg of the Caf Champions League preliminary round match against the Nigerian side at Nakivubo Stadium on Friday. Inset is Vipers coach Nsimbe. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA

Vipers coach George ‘Best’ Nsimbe thinks his side overcame the most difficult part of their Caf Champions League preliminary round tie against Enyimba after edging the Nigerian side 1-0 in Friday’s first leg at Nakivubo.

This was despite being outplayed particularly in the first half by their physically superior opponents and with the second leg to be played in Nigeria in a fortnight.

“We struggled in the first half because most of the boys were playing their first continental game,” Nsimbe said of his team who were making their debut in the competition against the two-time winners.

“But after the break we improved and I am confident we shall be able to qualify.”
The visiting West African side created better chances in the opening half with left back Dan Bilikwalira making a goal-line clearance while Andrew Abalaogu blazed over from 12 yards.

This forced Vipers technical bench to replace holding midfielder Patrick Ssembuya with the attack-minded Allan Kyambadde shortly before the break.

The change helped sway possession in the home side’s favour. Vipers should then have gone ahead early in the second half when Erisa Ssekisambu skied the rebound after Mike Mutyaba’s effort had been parried into his path.

The striker then redeemed himself in front of the sizable crowd at the 15,000-seater stadium taking Keziron Kizito’s pass into his stride before outpacing his marker down the left and toe-poking the ball home.

The result was no more than Vipers deserved with Kizito impressing in midfield while Halid Lwalira was firm at the back.

“I was pleased with our first half performance but not second,” Enyimba’s coach Paul Aigbogun said after the game.

“But we still have a good chance of progressing.”