CAF Champions League preliminary round

First leg result 

Olympic 0 Vipers 3

Return leg

Saturday

Vipers v Olympic

Vipers SC moved a step closer to qualifying for the next round of the CAF Champions League after they defeated Central Africa Republic’s Olympic Real De Bangui FC away in Congo Brazzaville on Saturday.

The match was played on neutral ground at the Stade Alphonse Massamba Debat in Congo Brazzaville because the hosts lack a playing stadium worthy of hosting CAF matches.

Substitute Abdul Lumala, Najib Yiga, and new signing Isa Mubiru were on the scoresheet for Vipers.

The defensive discipline that Vipers showed in the friendly matches and league last season, is what they maintained in this CAF Champions League tie as they aim to make the group stages for the first time.

Vipers started life without dependable striker Caesar Manzoki who left the club to join Chinese side Dalian FC. Manzoki was a key player last season as the Venoms won the league and his services were missed just like Bobosi Byaruhanga and Halid Lwaliwa’s contributions.

The winner between Vipers and the Central African Republic champions Olympic Real de Bangui will battle DRC's TP Mazembe in the first round. Mazembe received a bye to the next round.

Olympic Real De Bangui is 12-time winners of the Central African Republic Premier League and like Vipers, they have never made it to the group stages of continental club football.