CAF Champions League: Young Africans and Vipers secure wins as Dadje and Al Ahli Tripoli share stalemate

The CAF Champions League preliminary round continued on Friday with three fixtures producing contrasting outcomes, as Young Africans and Vipers claimed victories while Dadje FC and Al Ahli Tripoli cancelled each other out in a goalless draw.

Dadje FC 0-0 Al Ahli Tripoli
At the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Benin’s Dadje FC and Libyan side Al Ahli Tripoli played out a hard-fought draw in a contest dominated by defensive organisation rather than attacking flair.

From the opening minutes, both sides adopted a cautious approach, prioritising compact defensive structures and pressing in midfield.

Chances were scarce throughout the first half, with attacks repeatedly stifled before they could develop. When opportunities did arise, finishing lacked sharpness, and the few shots on target were comfortably handled by vigilant goalkeepers.

The midfield battle remained fierce, with neither team able to impose sustained control.

The second half offered little change in pattern. Both defences stayed disciplined, closing down spaces and cutting off passing lanes.

Al Ahli attempted to inject urgency in search of a breakthrough, while Dadje looked to capitalise on counterattacks, but neither side could find the decisive moment.

In the end, the stalemate reflected the tactical balance and defensive resilience on display.

Wiliete SC 0-3 Young Africans
In Angola, Tanzanian champions Young Africans made an emphatic start to their continental campaign with a 3-0 victory over Wiliete SC at the November 11 National Stadium.

The visitors looked composed from the outset and took a deserved lead on 32 minutes when Aziz Andabwile finished a well-worked move.

Wiliete struggled to respond, finding themselves frustrated by the Young Africans’ compact midfield and sharp counter-pressing. By halftime, the home side were chasing the game, while the Tanzanian side continued to dictate the tempo.

The second half saw Young Africans extend their dominance. Edmund Godfrey doubled the advantage in the 71st minute with a precise finish, before Prince Dube added a third eleven minutes from time to put the result beyond doubt.

Wiliete’s attempts to mount a response were consistently blocked by a well-drilled defence, and the visitors closed out the match with authority.

The scoreline reflected Young Africans’ superior tactical organisation and clinical edge in the final third, marking them as one of the standout performers of the preliminary round so far.

African Stars 0-1 Vipers
At Athlone Stadium, Ugandan side Vipers secured a narrow but valuable 1-0 away victory over Namibia’s African Stars.

The visitors struck early through Hilary Mukundane in the 13th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse to set the tone.

Despite conceding, African Stars attempted to regain control and pressed forward in search of an equaliser.

However, Vipers maintained discipline at the back, cutting out threats before they could materialise.

The hosts found it difficult to create clear openings, often restricted to speculative efforts that failed to trouble the goalkeeper.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with African Stars pushing to level the score but continually frustrated by the visitors’ compact defensive line and well-timed recoveries.

Vipers, meanwhile, threatened occasionally on the counter but were content to protect their slender lead.

In the closing stages, the Ugandan side held firm under pressure and managed the game effectively to ensure the victory.

The result highlighted their defensive resilience and tactical composure, giving them the advantage ahead of the return leg.

Summary
Friday’s fixtures showcased the contrasting approaches within Africa’s premier club competition.

Young Africans impressed with their attacking fluency, Vipers demonstrated defensive steel, while Dadje and Al Ahli underscored the fine margins that often characterise preliminary-round football.

With return legs to come, the stage is set for decisive encounters as clubs battle for progression to the next round.