Simba SC kicked off their CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) group stage campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory over Bravos in a closely contested match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The Tanzanian giants capitalized on home advantage, displaying resilience and tactical discipline to secure all three points.
The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Jean Ahoua coolly converted a penalty after Kibu Denis was fouled inside the box.
Ahoua’s precise strike gave Simba an early lead, setting the tone for a first half dominated by the home side. Despite creating several chances, Simba failed to extend their advantage, going into halftime with a narrow 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Bravos fight back with renewed energy, and their efforts earned them a penalty.
However, Simba’s goalkeeper rose to the occasion, making a crucial save to deny the visitors an equalizer. Both teams continued to battle fiercely, with Simba’s defense holding firm under pressure.
Despite Bravos' relentless pursuit of a goal, Simba managed to maintain their slim lead until the final whistle.
Speaking after the match, Simba’s head coach, Fadlu David, expressed delight with his team’s performance but acknowledged the need for improvement.
"I'm happy we secured the three points, but we missed several clear opportunities that could have sealed the game earlier," David said. "We’ll work on refining our finishing and prepare thoroughly for the upcoming matches."
Simba’s victory not only marks an important start to their CAFCC group-stage campaign but also showcases their determination to compete at the highest level.
With this win, they will head into their next fixture with confidence, aiming to build on their early momentum.
