Power Dynamos sealed their place in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage after holding Uganda’s Vipers SC to a 1-1 draw in Zambia on Friday, completing a 3-2 aggregate victory in the second preliminary round.
The Zambian champions entered the return leg with a 2-1 lead from last week’s first encounter in Uganda and managed the second leg with discipline and control.
After a cautious and goalless first half, Moses Shumah struck in the 68th minute to extend Power’s aggregate advantage to 3-1, putting Vipers under intense pressure to respond.
Vipers found a lifeline ten minutes from time through Abdul Karim Watambala, who levelled the game on the night and reignited hopes of forcing extra time. However, Power Dynamos remained composed in the closing stages, managing possession and space effectively to deny the Ugandans any clear-cut opportunities.
The result marks a successful return to the group stage for Power Dynamos, who last featured among Africa’s elite several seasons ago.
Shumah’s crucial goal ultimately proved the difference, securing the Zambians a guaranteed six-match campaign in the next phase of the continent’s premier club competition.
For Vipers, the draw offered some consolation but not enough to overturn their first-leg deficit. The Ugandan side will rue missed chances and defensive lapses across both matches after a promising start to the tie.
Power Dynamos will discover their group stage opponents on Monday, 3 November 2025, when CAF conducts the official TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw.
