Tanzanian giants Simba SC began their CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign on a winning note, edging Angola’s Bravos do Maquis 1-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday. 

Jean Ahoua’s first-half penalty proved decisive in a hard-fought encounter that left the Tanzanian side on top of Group A after the first game.

Simba SC capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Angolan side in the 27th minute when Edmilson handled the ball in the penalty area, gifting Simba a chance to break the deadlock.

Ahoua stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, placing it in the top left corner beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

The goal set the tone for an intense encounter, with both sides showing glimpses of attacking prowess.

Simba, under the guidance of new coach Maahier Davids, maintained pressure but failed to extend their lead, despite Steven Mukwala coming close with multiple attempts in the first half.

The second half saw Bravos do Maquis push for an equalizer, highlighted by a dramatic moment in the 48th minute when Emmanuel Edmond had a penalty saved by Simba’s goalkeeper.

Bravos’ best opportunities came from Jó Paciência and Macaiabo, whose efforts either sailed over or were blocked by Simba’s resilient defense.

Simba’s Joshua Mutale hit the post in the 66th minute, coming agonizingly close to doubling the lead.

Substitutions from both sides added fresh energy, but neither team could find the back of the net in the latter stages.

Simba’s defense, marshaled by Shomari Kapombe and Mohamed Hussein, stood firm in the dying moments as Bravos pushed for a late equalizer.

The Tanzanian side’s composure under pressure ensured they secured all three points to kick off their campaign in Group A.

The result places Simba SC at the summit of Group A ahead of the group’s other clash between Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien and Algeria’s Constantine, scheduled for later on Wednesday.

With such competitive sides in the “Group of Death,” Simba’s opening victory could prove vital in their quest to progress to the knockout stages.

Standings After Matchday 1:

1. Simba SC (Tanzania) – 3 points
2. CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) – 0 points (yet to play)
3. Constantine (Algeria) – 0 points (yet to play)
4. Bravos do Maquis (Angola) – 0 points

BY KUNLE SOLAJA

While the Libya Football Federation is still battling to come to terms with the recent sanctions imposed on their handling of an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Nigeria, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has again sanctioned another Libyan team for violence during a match.

According to reports that Sports Village Square gathered in Libya, Libyan club Al Ahly Tripoli has been found guilty of violence in an incident that happened during a CAF Inter Club preliminary rounds game against Simba SC of Tanzania.

Libya Al-Ahrar informs that the CAF Disciplinary Board has issued a financial penalty of  $20,000 and banned Ahli Tripoli fans from attending two home matches in African competitions. This brings to $70,000 the amount that Libya has incurred for infraction of the CAF rules. The football federation had on Saturday been fined $50,000 and match forfeiture to Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification series.

The latest CAF decision came as a result of the repercussions of the report of the observer of the Al-Ahly and Simba match in the first leg of the African Confederation Cup, which was held at Tripoli Stadium.

It was gathered that Al Ahly Tripoli players and fans attacked Simba SC players and the referees in the CAF Confederation Cup game that ended goalless on September 15

Again, as it is in the sanction imposed on Libya in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Nigeria, Al-Ahly Tripoli has appealed against the Disciplinary Board’s decision.

It was not easy, but the end justified the means. Enyimba had to go through the lottery of penalty shoot-out to get into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday in Uyo after playing a barren draw with visiting Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso.

 The first leg also ended goalless leading to penalty shoot-out as tie breaker. Enyimba won 3-2 on penalties.