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Vipers SC had their final involvement in the 2022/23 CAF Champions League come to an unpleasant end as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Guinea side Horoya Athletic Club on Friday in Bamako, Mali.
Vipers SC had their final involvement in the 2022/23 CAF Champions League come to an unpleasant end as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Guinea side Horoya Athletic Club on Friday in Bamako, Mali.
The Venoms crashed out as the last in the group that also has Simba SC and Raja Casablanca, albeit, without mastering a single victory.
Having picked two draws against Horoya (in the first leg) and Raja, the Kitende outfit collected two points overall in six matches.
Under the Bamako floodlights, though, the hosts found the early goal through Guinea forward Yahkouba Barry in the 11th minute.
Alex Isabirye's charges then nearly found an instant response, but winger Abdu Lumala's strike inside the box agonizingly crashed against the post in the 13th minute.
In an attempt to bow out with prestige, Vipers then mounted pressure for the rest of the half, which didn't materialize into clear goalscoring opportunities.
In the second stanza, defender Bashir Asiku, who was deputizing for the absent Livingstone Mulondo, thought he had scored in the 51st minute, but his headed effort sailed inches wide.
At the death, Horoya doubled their lead with Sorry Traore pouncing and striking past the teenage Jack Komakech, who was making his continental debut for his boyhood club.
The Venoms can beat themselves in the chest as they know they could have fought more on some occasions, on their group stage debut, but can also exit with their shoulders high for the valuable lessons learnt.
Attention will now shift to defending the Uganda Premier League, as they currently sit fourth on the log with 28 points, nine adrift of leaders SC Villa who have played four games more.
Isabirye's troops are also still in contention in the Stanbic Uganda Cup and will take on FUFA Big League side Calvary FC in April in the quarterfinals.
How Vipers lined up
Jack Komakech (GK), Isa Mubiru, Ashraf Mandela (c), Bashir Asiku, Hillary Mukundane, Olivier Osomba, Karim Watambala, Abdu Lumala, Ibrahim Orit, Martin Kizza, Abubakar Lawal.
Substitutions: Alfred Mudekereza, Bright Anukani, Serge Robert Mwenge, Desire Tety, Cromwel Rwothomio, Najib Yiga
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