Vipers captain Milton Karisa has challenged his teammates to show courage and concentration when they face FC Nouadhibou in Mauritania on Sunday.
The Ugandan champions travel into the decisive CAF Champions League first preliminary round return leg with the tie level at 1-1.
Vipers had taken an early lead at Kitende through Hilary Mukundane, whose header converted Karim Watambala’s delivery after only three minutes.
Nouadhibou responded through Sidi Ahmed Mohamed after 23 minutes, denying Denis Lavagne’s side the home advantage they had hoped to establish.
That result leaves Vipers needing an improved performance in Nouakchott, where Karisa believes lessons from the first meeting must guide their response.
The skipper admitted mistakes proved costly during the opening leg, but insists the players cannot allow disappointment to affect their confidence.
“We have to pick ourselves up, remain motivated and focus on the return leg,” Karisa said ahead of the decisive encounter.
Karisa believes unity and bravery will be essential against opponents who demonstrated their organisation and resilience during the opening meeting at Kitende.
Vipers have already settled in Mauritania after travelling with a 19-man squad selected by Lavagne for the continental assignment.
The travelling group includes Karisa, Yunus Sentamu and Cesar Manzoki, giving Vipers several attacking options if they require goals in Nouakchott.
Farouk Miya and Watambala also provide creativity in midfield, while Mukundane travels after scoring Vipers’ goal during the opening encounter.
Lavagne will require greater efficiency from his attacking players after Vipers struggled to convert possession into enough clear opportunities at Kitende.
The qualification equation remains delicate because CAF still applies the away-goals rule during its preliminary-round knockout ties.
Any Vipers victory sends them through, while a score draw of 2-2 or higher would also favour the Ugandan champions.
A goalless draw would eliminate Vipers, while another 1-1 result would leave away goals equal and force a penalty shootout.
The challenge therefore demands attacking ambition without losing defensive discipline against a Nouadhibou side carrying confidence from their result in Uganda.
Vipers reached the Champions League group stage during the 2022/23 season and are seeking another appearance among Africa’s final sixteen clubs.
Progress would book a second preliminary round meeting against either Rivers United of Nigeria or San Pedro from Côte d’Ivoire.
Those sides also drew their opening encounter 1-1, leaving Vipers aware that their continental route remains difficult beyond Sunday’s assignment.
For Karisa, however, the immediate demand is simpler: stay focused, remain brave and turn the lessons from Kitende into qualification in Nouakchott.
The return leg is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, at Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya in Nouakchott, with kickoff set for 8pm East African Time.