Simba advance to CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage after outshining Al Ahli Tripoli
Simba players celebrate after scoring against Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya in the CAF Confederation Cup match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium yesterday. Simba won 3-1. PHOTO | LOVENESS BERNARD
What you need to know:
- This is the second time in history that Simba have qualified for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
- The Msimbazi Street giants reached the group stage in the 2021/2022 season after eliminating Red Arrows of Zambia in the playoffs.
Dar es Salaam. Football giants Simba qualified for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup today, September 22, 2024, following a 3-1 victory against Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium yesterday.
Al Ahli Tripoli were the first to score in the encounter through Cristovao “Mabululu” Paciencia. Mabululu scored in the 17th minute following mistakes made by Simba's defenders.
However, the goal did not discourage the Simba players, who increased their pace and equalized through Kibu Dennis in the 36th minute.
Simba celebrated their second goal in the 45th minute through Leonel Ateba before Edwin Balua scored the third in the 90th minute.
The result means Simba have qualified for the group stage with a 3-1 aggregate following a barren draw in the first leg match held in Tripoli, Libya, one week ago.
Apart from securing a spot in the group stage, Simba also earned $400,000 (Sh1.1 billion) from CAF, as well as Sh15 million from President Samia Suluhu Hassan through the 'Goli la Mama' Initiative.
Simba join six other clubs in the group stage, with the remaining 10 teams expected to be determined by last night.
Teams that have so far qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup include Zamalek of Egypt and RS Berkane of Morocco, which are in Pot 1; Stade Malien of Mali in Pot 2; and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in Pot 3. Also on the list are CS Constantine of Algeria and Clube Desportivo da Lunda Sul of Angola.
This is the second time in history that Simba have qualified for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Msimbazi Street giants reached the group stage in the 2021/2022 season after eliminating Red Arrows of Zambia in the playoffs.
Simba were eliminated from the CAF Champions League along with other teams, namely AS Otoho of Congo Brazzaville, TP Mazembe, AS Maniema Union (DR Congo), ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast), JS Kabylie (Algeria), Hearts of Oak (Ghana), and Tusker of Kenya.
Others included LPRC Oilers of Liberia, Al Ittihad (Libya), Stade Malien (Mali), FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania), Rivers United (Nigeria), Union Sportive de la Gendarmerie Nationale (Niger), APR (Rwanda), and Zanaco of Zambia.
Simba is grouped in Group D alongside RS Berkane, ASEC Mimosas, and Union Sportive de la Gendarmerie Nationale (Niger). The team placed second after collecting 10 points, with RS Berkane topping the group.
