CAF Champions League: Shaky Simba SC narrowly avoid upset

Simba SC are through to the final round of qualifying in the CAF Champions League after holding on for a 1-1 second leg draw at home against Botswana’s Gaborone United.

It was an uninspired performance from Tanzanian giants Simba, who advanced with a 2-1 aggregate victory, at an empty Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Fortunately for the hosts, a first half penalty from Jean Charles Ahoua was just enough to hold off a Gaborone United side that looked more dangerous for long stretches in a shaky performance from the home favorites.

Gaborone made a serious push to open the scoring but after failing to convert a couple of decent chances, Simba earned a penalty kick when Morice Abraham was tripped up in the box. Ahoua put his spot kick just beyond the reach of Gaborone goalkeeper Thabo Motswagole.

But the visitors continued to push after halftime and were awarded a penalty kick when influential forward Thabo Matonda was fouled, allowing Lebogang Ditsele to pull a goal back with a composed spot kick.

From then on it was a tense affair for Simba supporters whose team was in serious danger at times of conceding another goal that would have seen a shocking upset. However, the hosts managed the game to the full time whistle and held on to advance to the final qualifying round.

Next up in the Champions League for Simba is Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs, who advanced against Zimbabwe’s Simba Bhora via penalty kicks after a 1-0 second leg victory.

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