Simba Sports Club have continued to make their mark on the continental stage by qualifying for the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC), following a thrilling comeback against Egypt’s Al Masry. The second leg of the quarter-final was played today at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Simba advanced after winning 4-1 in a penalty shootout, having overturned a 2-0 first-leg defeat with a 2-0 victory in the return leg.
The aggregate score stood at 2-2 after full time, sending the tie to penalties where the Tanzanian giants held their nerve and booked their spot in the last four.
From the first whistle, both teams played with intensity, creating several early chances. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Elie Mpanzu put Simba ahead, igniting the home crowd.
Just ten minutes later, in the 32nd minute, Steven Mukwala added the second goal, leveling the aggregate and giving Simba a fighting chance.
Despite both sides pushing for a decisive third goal, the score remained unchanged after 90 minutes. With no extra time in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals, the match proceeded directly to penalties.
Simba were clinical from the spot, converting all four of their penalties. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ally Salim Kamal emerged as the hero, making two crucial saves to deny Al Masry and secure a 4-1 win in the shootout.
Head coach Fadlu Davids praised his squad for their spirit and discipline. “The boys showed incredible determination, especially after coming back from a two-goal deficit. We stuck to our game plan and believed in ourselves. This is a proud moment for Simba and for Tanzanian football,” he said.
Simba SC will now face either Zamalek of Egypt or Stellenbosch of South Africa in the semi-finals. The outcome of that match, scheduled for later today, will determine their next opponent in what promises to be an exciting final-four clash.
The result marks another milestone for Simba, who continue to prove themselves as one of Africa’s top football clubs.
Their journey in the CAFCC has been filled with determination, and this latest result further fuels hopes of reaching the final and possibly winning the title.
Simba SC Starting XI:Moussa Camara, Karaboue Chamdou, Fabrice Ngoma, Jean Ahoua, Shomari Kapombe, Steven Mukwala, Abdurazak Hamza, Mohamed Hussein, Yusuph Kagoma, Elie Mpanzu, Kibu Denis.
Al Masry Starting XI:Mahmoud Ahmed, Baher Mohamed, Youssef Elgohary, Mohamed Makhlouf, Salah Mohsen, Amir Ismail, Mohmoud Elsayed, Samadou Attidjikou, Ahmed Gadehaq, Khaled Zeid, Abderrahim Deglimoum.
As Simba look ahead to the semi-finals, their fans at home and across Africa continue to rally behind them, believing this could be the year the club brings home a continental trophy.
