Siphakeme .Mnindwa
SIMBA SC head coach, Fadlu Davids has urged side to be more ruthless in front of goal following Simba’s 2-0 victory over FC Bravos in a Group A TotalEnergies Caf Confederation Cup fixture played in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.
The Tanzanian giants are enjoying a rich vein of form in the Tanzanian Premier League where they sit at the summit of the table under the newly appointed Davids.
The form has been replicated in their continental exploits that saw them edge their Angolan visitors with a scoreline that Davids believes could have concluded with an even wider margin.
Simba’s dominance and goal scoring opportunities are not a true reflection of the actual result according to Davids, who added that the team will need to improve despite getting the result.–Cafonline.com
“We could have added to our goals tally, but the three points secured will give us satisfaction from the opening match at this stage. We wanted to be in more control of the game after the break like we did in the opening 45 minutes but our opponents made a lot of improvements. I’m happy with the team’s performance. We shall improve going forward in the competition and we need to do so as the tournament will get even more difficult” said the South African coach.
Bravos on the other hand, who showed great improvement towards the closing stages of the match will be hoping to pick up from their improved finish in their remaining group matches.
Speaking after the defeat, Bravos coach Mario Soares said the team showed great improvement in the second half but were just not at the same level as their hosts on the day.
“We played a very challenging team. We got the chance for the equaliser after making great strides tactically in the second half. The improvements gave us the opportunity to manage the game and even break Simba’s play which caused us many problems in the first half”, said Soares.
Both sides will be in action in Match Day 02 of the Group Stages next weekend when Simba travel up north to face Algeria’s FC Constantine who edged SF Sfaxien 1-0 on Tuesday, while Bravos face the wounded Sfaxien in Angola.
Simba open group stage campaign with narrow win over Bravos do Maquis
Tanzanian giants Simba SC began their TotalEnergies 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 capitalised 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 equaliser, 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 defence.
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 defence, marshalled by Shomari Kapombe and Mohamed Hussein, stood firm in the dying moments as Bravos pushed for a late equaliser.
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.
USMA crush Orapa Utd, defending champions Zamalek off to a positive start
Two time champions, Zamalek SC continued their title defence with a comfortable 2-0 win over Mozambique’s Black Bulls FC.
Two goals by Ahmed Abdelhamid scored in the 45th minute as well as an early second half strike by Nabil Emad were enough to secure a good start to the champions’ Group D campaign.
Champions of the 2021/22 edition, Morocco’s RS Berkane welcomed Club Desportivo de Lunda Sul of Angola to the opener of Group B.
With a strong intention of reclaiming their title, Berkane secured a convincing 2-0-win courtesy of a Issoufou Dayo brace in the 21st and 79th minute of the match that saw the former champions go top of the group.
The final match of the evening was a high scoring affair in Algiers when USMA Alger welcomed group stage debutants Orapa United of Botswana.
It was a baptism of fire for the southern African nation who were subjected to a crushing 6-0 defeat by the former champions.
An early brace by Ismail Belkacemi as well as a goal apiece by Saadi Raouani and Wale Alli put the Algerians four goals clear ahead of the break.
The gap was further extended in the second half with Nabil Lamara getting the fifth immediately from the restart, before Islam Mrili’s 71st strike secured the commanding win for the former champions.
