Al Ahly 1-0 Simba SC: Mnyama end Caf Champions League group campaign with loss
Despite the defeat, the Tanzanians top the group with the reigning champions coming in second
Simba SC suffered their first Caf Champions League Group A loss after going down by a solitary goal to reigning champions Al Ahly at WE Al-Ahly Stadium, Cairo on Friday night.
Mohamed’s Sherif’s first-half strike was all the hosts needed to avenge the 1-0 loss in the first meeting in Dar es Salaam.
The Msimbazi Street-based charges started well and in the ninth minute, danger man Luis Miquissone was brought down in a promising position by Ahmed Ramadan and the referee handed Mnyama a free-kick.
Clatous Chama took it and the defenders struggled to clear the danger. They initiated a counter-attack from long clearance and Sherif almost punished the visitors, only that his shot flew over the bar.
Despite both teams trying to push for a goal in the early exchanges, by the 20th minute, neither had managed a shot on target.
The reigning champions came closest a minute later. Ramadan managed to go past three players before crossing the ball to Sherif; however, the latter headed narrowly wide.
As time went by, the hosts started to command the proceedings and Mnyama had to sit back and defend in numbers, to avoid conceding an early goal. The tactic invited the Red Devils, and they used every opportunity to attack.
In the 27th minute, Manula pulled off a top save to prevent Pascal Wawa from heading into his net after a dangerous cross from the right wing.
The champions got a deserved lead in the 32nd minute. Manula fumbled a cross from Ayman Ashraf and the loose ball fell to the waiting Sharif, who found the back of the net from three yards.
Simba looked relaxed from the way they were playing and did not look show any urgency in getting an equalizer. Even after the break, they sat back and relied on counter-attacks.
The Egyptian heavyweights had two chances in the first 15 minutes of the second half but they did not trouble the goalkeeper at all since they were off target.
In the 68th minute, substitute Francis Kahata was fouled 25-yards from the Al Ahly goal. Miquissone teed up Wawa but the Ivorian failed to keep his shot down.
Mohamed El Shenawy had to be alert to deny Simba from getting an equalizer in the 74th minute. A good ball was brought in and it found its way to Miquissone, but the custodian was in the right position to deny him.
The resulting corner bore no fruits.
The result had no impact on the group as Simba advance to quarters as winners with the Egyptians coming in second.
Al Ahly XI: Mohamed El Shenawy, Ayman Ashraf, Rami Rabia, Badr Banoun, Amr Al Sulaya, Mohamed Magdi Kafsha, Aliou Dieng, Hussein El Shahat, Mohamed Sherif, Ahmed Ramadan, Oluwafemi Ajayi
Simba XI: Aishi Manula, Pascal Wawa, Erasto Nyoni, Shomari Kapombe, Mohammed Husseini, Joash Onyango, Jonas Mkude, Larry Bwalya, Clatous Chama, Luis Miquissone, Meddie Kagere
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