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Hillary Mukundane gave Vipers SC the perfect start, but the Venoms failed to finish the job as FC Nouadhibou fought back for a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende yesterday.
Mukundane struck just after the second minute, rising to meet Karim Watambala’s free-kick and head Vipers in front.
It looked like the start of a long night for the Mauritanian champions.
Instead, Nouadhibou hit back. Sidi Ahmed Mohamed levelled in the 23rd minute, heading a corner onto the post and into the net to silence the home crowd.
Vipers pushed for the winner but lacked the cutting edge needed to break through a stubborn Nouadhibou defence. Joel Sserunjogi’s introduction for Joseph Marvin Youngman brought more control, while set-pieces remained Vipers’ biggest threat.
Farouk Miya, however, failed to punish Nouadhibou from several promising free kick positions.
Then came the late drama. Cesar Manzoki, introduced for Gusto Mulongo shortly after the hour mark, thought he had won it when he found the net late in the game.
The celebrations lasted only seconds. The referee ruled that Manzoki had fouled the goalkeeper in the build-up and chalked off the goal, leaving Vipers to settle for a draw they will see as two points dropped in their Champions League push.
The Venoms now face a tougher assignment in Mauritania next week. A win is required to send them into the final qualification round.
After failing to make home advantage count, Vipers must now find the goals away from Kitende or risk an early Champions League exit.
