By 
Vipers SC have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League after a goalless draw against FC Nouadhibou in Nouakchott on Sunday saw the Mauritanian champions advance from the preliminary round.
The tie finished 1-1 on aggregate, but Nouadhibou progressed on the away-goals rule, leaving Vipers to rue missed chances from both legs.
The Venoms knew they needed a goal to keep their continental campaign alive and started positively at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya.
Their first opening came in the 10th minute when Farouk Miya won a free kick just outside the box, but the midfielder could not find a way through the Nouadhibou wall.
Vipers continued to look for an opening, with Usama Arafat and Karim Watambala involved in the attacking build-up. However, Nouadhibou remained compact and limited the visitors to half chances.
Watambala came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break when he unleashed a powerful effort in the 35th minute, only for it to drift narrowly wide.
Arafat then had another opportunity three minutes before halftime, but Nouadhibou’s defence stood firm to keep the score level.
Vipers returned from the break with greater urgency as they pushed for the goal that would have changed the tie.
The Ugandan side continued to dominate possession in search of an opening, but the hosts defended deep and frustrated their opponents.
With five minutes remaining, Vipers came agonisingly close. Watambala found Yunus Sentamu inside the area, and the striker created space for a shot after beating his marker, but his effort sailed just over the crossbar.
The final opportunity fell to Vipers in stoppage time.
Captain Milton Karisa picked out Ceasor Manzoki, but the striker lost his footing at the decisive moment, bringing an end to the Venoms’ hopes of finding a late winner.
Nouadhibou’s 1-1 aggregate scoreline was enough to send them through, while Vipers’ continental campaign ended at the first hurdle.
The focus now shifts back to domestic football, with Vipers set to turn their attention to the Uganda Premier League and Uganda Cup.
