By Denis Turyahebwa
Immense jubilations engulfed Vipers SC as it stunned the five times CAF Champions League winners TP Mazembe in the penalty shootouts 4-2 to book a spot in the Champions League Group Stages.
The match played on Saturday makes Vipers (the venom) the second Ugandan club to reach the stage after KCCA FC in 2018.
The spot kicks followed a goalless stalemate at full-time at Stade TP Mazembe in DR Congo.
The Venoms goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza made multiple brilliant saves to keep the Uganda Premier league defending champions in the game during the open play.
Different clubs in the Star Times Uganda Premier League took to social media to congratulate the Venoms for the milestone, led by Uganda Revenue Authority FC that posted; “Congratulations Vipers SC upon making it to the CAF Champions League stages 2022/23,” the club posted on their official Facebook page.
Onduparaka FC posted; “Congratulations Vipers SC for qualifying into the group stages of CAF Champions league, We were all rooting for you. Thank you for making us all proud, we wish the team a safe flight back.”
Roberto Oliveira’s team joins other nine clubs that have already qualified for the Total Energies CAF Champions League Group stages waiting on other six before they learn who they will face in groups.
Clubs that have already qualified include; Petro de Luanda, Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Zamalek SC, CR Belouizdad,Vipers SC, Al Ahly SC, Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Raja Club Athletic, Al Merrikh SC, JS Kabylie.
