Simba's dream of CAF Champions League semifinals dashed by Al Ahly
Simba SC attacking midfielder Clatous Chama (right) vies for the ball against Al Ahly players during the CAF Champions League quarter-final match at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on Friday night. The game ended 2-0. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Despite dominating match from the outset and fashioning several clear-cut opportunities, Simba's attacking force failed to materialize into goals.
Dar es Salaam. Simba Sports Club's quest for a historic berth in the CAF Champions League semifinals came to a heartbreaking end as they succumbed to a 3-0 aggregate defeat against reigning champions, Al Ahly.
The decisive blow was dealt at the Cairo International Stadium on April 6, 2024, where the Tanzanian side fell 2-0 to the Egyptian giants, following their 1-0 loss in the first leg at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on March 29, 2024.
Despite dominating match from the outset and fashioning several clear-cut opportunities, Simba's attacking force failed to materialize into goals.
Burundian midfielder, Saido Ntibanzonkiza, came closest in the first half, only to see his effort thwarted by Al Ahly goalkeeper Oufa Shobeir.
Al Ahly's scored first goal in the 47th minute, orchestrated by Anthony Modeste, whose good pass found Amr El Solia to slot past Simba's keeper, Ayoub Lakred.
Al Ahly scored the second goal via a late penalty in stoppage time, converted by Mahmoud Kahraba after Che Fondoh Malone's foul on Hussein El Shahat.
Simba's head coach, Abdelhak Benchikha, rang the changes in a bid to alter the course of the tie, but Al Ahly held firm to advance to the semifinals.
This marks the sixth time for Simba failing to qualify for the CAF competitions semisfinals.
Among these, four occurred in the CAF Champions League, and one in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Simba reached the CAF Champions League quarterfinals in 2003, 2018/2019, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Simba made it to the quarterfinals in 2021/2022.
