David GOMBE
Vipers SC bowed out of the CAF Champions league despite a 2-1 victory over Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy in the return leg of the first Preliminary round at St.Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Saturday.
Galaxy advanced to the next round 3-2 on aggregate.
The Venoms lost 2-0 in Botswana and needed to beat Galaxy by more than two goals to prevail.
In the return leg, Yunus Sentamu netted a brace before the halftime breather to level the tie.
Gilberto Baruti’s late free kick goal was enough to send the Botswana champions into the next round.
Sentamu gave the Venoms the lead at the half hour mark with a sensational left footed strike after being fed by Bright Anukani.
At the stroke of halftime, he completed his brace with another superb strike.
Anukani came close to scoring the third early in the second period but his effort went inches over the bar.
Second half substitute Karim Watambala had his effort saved by Jwaneng goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko.
With the game destined for penalties, Baruti sent Kitende into silence with his free kick goal.
Jwaneng progressed to the next round and will next face South Africa’s Orlando Pirates for a slot into the group stages.
For Vipers focus will now turn to the new Uganda Premier league campaign. They will kickoff their title defense against Gaddafi FC.
