Striker Dan Mzee Ssrunkuma came off the bench to score a priceless away goal for Vipers with five minutes to full time as Uganda’s representatives in the Total CAF Champions League lost 2-1 to Sudanese outfit El Merriekh on Wednesday night.

In a game that the hosts dominated from the kick-off whistle, Vipers had to rely on custodian Bashir Ssekagya, whose game maturity and timely saves kept then in the game for long spells.

El Merriekh had a chance to get a first-time lead after Noah Wafula handled the ball in the penalty area only for Ahmed Adam to blast it wide.

With just ten minutes left on the clock, Vipers succumbed to the enormous pressure from El Merriekh and it wasn’t long before Livingstone Mulondo handled the ball in the area. This time round Bakri Al Medina made no mistake from 12 yards.

From then on, El Merriekh didn’t put the foot off the pedal, another well built up attack found Vipers’ defense in sixes before Altag slotted home.

With just five minutes left on the clock, Mzee capitalized on a cross from Ibrahim Kiyemba to tap home Vipers’ goal.

The two teams will play the return leg on December at Kitende with Vipers needing just a 1-0 win to advance.

Vipers Starting XI: Bashir Ssekagya, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Yayo Lutimba, Livingstone Mulondo, Halid Lwaliwa, Taddeo Lwanga, Geoffrey Wasswa, Moses Waiswa, Abraham Ndugwa, Noah Wafula, Tito Okello

Subs: Derrick Ochan, Bashir Asiku, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Duncan Sseninde, Brian Nkuubi, Brian Kalumba, Daniel Mzee Sserunkuma