Vipers SC were held to a goalless draw by Mauritanian champions FC Nouadhibou in a tightly contested encounter, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg in Mauritania next week.
The Ugandan champions pushed for a breakthrough in the second half and came close on several occasions, but Nouadhibou’s defence and goalkeeper Babacar Diop stood firm.
Vipers’ best opportunity came in the 69th minute when Faruku Miya’s corner kick curled dangerously towards goal, forcing Diop into a sharp save to keep the visitors in the contest.
Miya later came close again from a set piece, curling a free-kick from about 25 yards just wide of the target as Vipers continued to search for the opening goal.
Credit to Cabella
The hosts thought they had finally broken the deadlock when forward Cesar Manzoki found the net, but the goal was ruled out by the referee, denying Vipers what would have been a crucial breakthrough.
Manzoki remained a constant threat in the closing stages, with the powerful forward seeing another effort blocked as Vipers pressed for a winner.
Despite dominating periods of the game and creating opportunities, Vipers could not find the decisive touch, settling for a result that keeps the tie wide open.
With no side able to establish an advantage, Vipers will now turn their attention to the return fixture in Mauritania, where everything remains to play for as they seek to secure progression.
The second leg next week promises to be a decisive test of Vipers’ continental ambitions, with the Ugandan side needing to find a way to breach Nouadhibou’s defence on
