Vipers have work cut out

No way. Bashir Asiku (L) and Tadeo Lwanga (R) of Vipers challenge Aymen Harzi (C) of CS Sfaxien during the Total Caf Confederation Cup at St. Marys Stadium, Kitende on Saturday . PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA

KAMPALA. Indeed, it is a slim line between success and failure.
Vipers were just inches away from defying the Magreb fear when they were held to a goalless draw by Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien at St Mary’s Stadium-Kitende in the Caf Confederation Cup match played on Saturday.

Here, a much transformed Vipers from the one dumped out of the Caf Champions league by Algerian side Constantine was jostling pound for pound with the four-time Caf Confederations Cup winners and yes, they had the best scoring opportunities and were largely the better side. Right winger Noah Wafula, most times operating as the centre-forward, was at fault for missing two clear chances for Vipers whereas Moses Waiswa, Tito Okello and Tadeo Lwanga all saw their goal bound efforts saved off the line.

Sfaxien experienced tactician Ruud Krol spared time to eulogize his maverick custodian Ayman Dahmen whose reflex saves denied the hosts from finding the back of the net.
Not that the visitors didn’t threaten to get the vital away goal, they were thrice halted by Vipers custodian Fabien Mutombora and his steady backline comprising of Ibrahim Kiyemba, Yayo Lutimba, Livingstone Mulondo, Bashir Asiku and later Geoffrey Wasswa.

It is not yet over
Veteran Dutch coach Krol acknowledged the spirited performance put up by Vipers, under Edward Golola and Michael Ouma put up but promised a different match in Tunis next Saturday.
“We are coming from winter and here we played in very high temperatures so it was not easy. The artificial terrain was also difficult because we play on grass. “But we had tough opponents that is for sure. Sometimes we defended well sometimes we were naive. We got one or two counter attacks where could have scored goals. But the two teams are very close to each other in this match,” he revealed. Vipers’ Kenyan tactician Ouma hinted at an attacking approach in Tunis, where the Venoms need a win, draw with goals or 0-0 stalemate leading to spot kicks to progress to the lucrative group stages. “The only that I will now ensure is they find the back of the net. Next time we will see what comes. Of course we have very high hopes of progressing,” he said.

Qualifying round
Vipers 0-0 CS Sfaxien
Return leg: Saturday, January 19
CS Sfaxien vs Vipers
Stade Taïeb Mhiri, Tunisia
Other weekend RESULTS
Nkana 3-0 San Pedro
African Stars 0-0 Raja Casablanca
Stade Malien 1-1 Petro Atletico
Al Ahly Benghazi 1-0 Hussein Dey
Caf champions league
TP Mazembe 2-0 Ismaily
Platinum 0-0 Orlando Pirates
Simba 3-0 Saoura
Al Ahly 2-0 AS Vita
Horoya 1-1 Esperance
Lobi Stars 2-1 Mamelodi
Club Africain 0-1 Constantine
Wydad 5-2 ASEC Mimosa