Simba SC showcased resilience and grit as they edged out CS Sfaxien 2-1 in a fiercely contested CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam.
The visitors stunned the home crowd just three minutes into the game when Hazem Haj slotted home a well-placed shot.
The goal came after a defensive mishap by Simba’s Che Malone Fondoh, whose misjudged back pass left goalkeeper Moussa Camara stranded off his line.
However, the hosts responded with urgency, leveling the scores in the 7th minute through a textbook set-piece.
Jean Ahoua delivered a pinpoint free kick into the box, and Kibu Denis rose highest to meet it with a powerful header that left CS Sfaxien’s goalkeeper Nasraoui Mohammed rooted to the spot.
The first half ended with both sides locked at 1-1, but Simba looked the more threatening side going forward.
Despite their dominance in possession and frequent forays into the final third, the Msimbazi giants struggled to convert their chances.
Simba’s Leonel Ateba came close in the 26th minute, connecting with a well-timed cross from Jean Ahoua, but his header sailed narrowly wide.
Seven minutes later, Ateba had another golden opportunity, finding himself one-on-one with the keeper, but his effort lacked precision and went off target.
CS Sfaxien, known for their disciplined defensive setup, managed to frustrate Simba for large stretches of the half, relying on compact positioning and swift counterattacks to keep the Tanzanian side on their toes.
The second half saw end-to-end action as both teams pressed hard for a winner. Simba looked more cohesive, with their midfield duo of Fabrice Ngoma and Abdulrazack Hamza dictating the tempo and orchestrating attacks.
The game seemed destined for a draw until stoppage time, when Kibu Denis turned hero once again.
The striker latched onto a perfectly weighted pass, rounded off a defender, and calmly slotted the ball past Nasraoui Mohammed to secure all three points for Simba.
It was a moment of sheer brilliance and clinical finishing that sent the home fans into raptures, with Denis emerging as the undisputed man of the match.
Simba’s tactical flexibility and high pressing paid dividends in the closing moments. Jean Ahoua’s deliveries from set-pieces were instrumental, while Kibu Denis proved why he is a key asset with his composure in front of goal.
For CS Sfaxien, the early goal highlighted their ability to exploit defensive lapses, but their inability to sustain pressure in Simba’s half ultimately cost them.
Simba SC: Moussa Camara (GK), Fabrice Ngoma, Jean Ahoua, Shomari Kapombe, Leonel Ateba, Abdulrazack Hamza, Mohammed Hussein, Debora Fernandes, Che Malone Fondoh, Awesu Awesu, Kibu Denis.
CS Sfaxien: Nasraoui Mohammed (GK), Balla Moussa, Hazem Haj Hassen, Hazem Achref, Habessi Achref, Rayen Derbali, Pedro Miguel, Mohammed Dhaoui, Hichem Baccar, Firas Sakouhi, Haithem Layouni.
The result leaves the Msimbazi faithful hopeful as Simba continues their journey in the CAF Confederation Cup, with their eyes firmly set on advancing beyond the group stages.