Vipers humiliated  by Raja in  debut

Vipers' goalkeeper Alfred Mundekereza could do little to stop the ruthless Raja Casablanca attack | CAF Image

CAF CL Vipers humiliated  by Raja in  debut

Shafic Kiyaga • 22:27 - 10.02.2023

Vipers coach Roberto Bianchi had called on his side to be brave and proactive before the game, but as the Brazilian tried to give his side a bit of industry with his approach, they never got close to their opponents.

Woeful Vipers SC were given a rude welcome to the CAF Champions League as they suffered a humiliating 5-0 thumping by Raja Casablanca in Morocco.

Khabba Hamza, Harkass Jamal, Azrida Muhamed scored in the first half, before Bouzok Yousir and Roger Aholou scored in the second half.

Vipers were making their debut in the tournament's group stage, and even putting their lack of experience at this level of competition into context, this was a humiliation at the Muhamad V Complex.

Badly exposed and clearly lacking in cohesion, the Venoms were embarrassed as they were handed a grim reality check of the gulf in class between the two sides.

Vipers coach Roberto Bianchi had called on his side to be brave and proactive before the game, but as the Brazilian tried to give his side a bit of industry with his approach, they never got close to their opponents.

Goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza was recalled into the starting lineup, and he made a real mess of his chances as he was culprit for both the opening two goals.

The Congolese was caught out of position for the opening goal, while he made a hush of an attempted clearance on a deep cross.

Mundekereza, dropped the ball straight into the path of Hamza who turned his initial shot on the upright before Harkass tapped home.

With Vipers going on the defensive to limit the early damage, Bouzok fired straight at Mudekereza.

Raja dominated the opening 20 minutes, so much so that goalkeeper Zniti Anaz did not touch the ball.

Again, Vipers fueled their problems as Disan Galiwango failed to keep the ball from going over the line allowing Bouzok Yousri to lay it on for Zrida to apply a low finish for the third in the 38th minute.

Bianchi replied with three changes at the restart of the second half, Yunus Ssentamu, Israel Desire Tety and Olivier Osomba thrown on for Abdul Lumala, Ashraf Mandela and AbdulKarim Watambala.

Vipers barely made it out of their own half, before Bouzok got his name on the score sheet with a smart lobbed finish over Mudekereza to make it four just before the hour mark.

Raja’s confidence continued to grow with Vipers’ resilience barely evident and Aholou Roger made it five in the 71st minute when he finished with a low driven shot from just outside the penalty area.

Vipers’ only shot on goal came in the 85th minute, when Martin Kizza frustratingly put his effort well over the crossbar.

How they lined up

Raja CasablancaAnas Zniti (C), Mahmoud Bentayg, Ismail Mokadem, Zakaria Habti, Jamal Harkass, Hamza Khabba, Roger Ben Boris Aholou, Mohamed Azrida, Mohamed Al Makahasi, Abdessamad Badaoui, Yousri Bouzok

CoachMondher Kebaier

Vipers SC: Alfred Mudekereza, Dissan Galiwango, Sentamu Siraje, Bright Anukani, Kizza Martin, Murushid Juuko, Hilary Panuel Mukundane, Ashraf Mandela, Abdu Lumala, Abdu Karim Watambala, Milton Karisa (C)

CoachIbrahim Mugisha