Tunisian giants Espérance de Tunis secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tanzanian side Simba SC in the third round of the CAF Champions League 2025–2026 group stage on Saturday.
The decisive moment came in the 21st minute when Burkinabe star Jack Diarra finished a precise assist from Amine Ben Hamida, giving the visitors the lead.
Despite struggling to find their best rhythm, Espérance controlled the game and created several opportunities to extend their advantage, but Simba’s defence held firm for most of the match.
This victory moves Espérance, known as the “Blood and Gold,” to five points in Group D, just one ahead of Stade Malien and Petro de Luanda.
Both sides are set for a crucial showdown on Sunday, January 25, intensifying the battle for the two quarter-final spots.
For Simba, the loss is their third straight defeat in the group stage, heightening concerns over the club’s form in Africa’s premier club competition.
Fans have expressed disappointment as the team struggles to secure points, and analysts are closely monitoring the squad’s performance in the upcoming matches.
The race for quarter-final qualification in Group D promises to be fiercely competitive, with every point crucial as the tournament progresses.