Sinan RAJUB SENOGA
Vipers officially concluded their CAF Champions League group stage campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Horoya AC at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali.
Budding goalkeeper Jack Komakech was handed a continental debut as Alfred Mudekereza was relegated to the bench with a minor injury concern.
Horoya who came into the dead rubber on the back of an embarrassing 7-0 drubbing courtesy of Simba, scored a goal in each half in what happened to be a relatively dull contest.
Forwards Yakhouba Gnagna Barry and Sory Traore ensured the Guinea champions end their disappointing campaign on a high.
Gnagna Barry was playing his first game after serving a four month ban from FIFA following his unsuccessful transfer to France last year.
10 minutes into the game, Gnagna Barry capitalized on an error by Komakech to score in an empty net after the novice goalkeeper miscalculated the ball in the goal mouth.
Vipers nearly responded through Abdul Karim Watambala whose low short unfortunately hit the post two minutes later.
Chasing after the game, Alex Isabirye brought on Cromwell Rwothomio, Bright Anukani and Najib Yiga for Lumala, Ibrahim Orit and Martin Kizza at around the hour mark.
Ivorian striker Desire Tety also replaced Abubakar Lawal before Serge Robert Mwenge took Watambala’s place inside the final 15 minutes.
It was Horoya who found the second goal through substitute Sory Traore who tapped home perfectly from Alseny Soumah’s wonderful spadework in the third of the added four minutes.
Vipers finished bottom of the Group C table with two points having lost four games and drawn two.
They will subsequently earn USD550,000 for finishing fourth.
Yakhouba Gnagna Barry plays his 1st game after serving a 4 month suspension from FIFA.
Horoya XI vs Vipers; Moussa Camara, Salif Coulibaly, Sory Doumbouya, Abu Mangue, Khadim Diaw, Fode Camara, Sebe Baffour (C), Amadou Wonkoye, P.A. Ndiaye, Alseny Soumah, Gnagna Barry #CAFCL pic.twitter.com/tZyGiIhqXt
— SINAN 🇺🇬 (@SinanRajub) March 31, 2023
Vipers SC XI; Jack Komakech (GK), Ashraf Mandela (Capt), Isa Mubiru, Hilary Mukundane, Bashir Asiku, Olivier Osomba, Karim Watambala, Abdul Lumala, Martin Kizza, Ibrahim Orit, Abubakar Lawal