Sports

Simba’s heartbreaking defeat to CS Constantine

Dar es Salaam. In a dramatic turn of events, Simba SC suffered a 2-1 loss to Algeria’s CS Constantine in a CAF Confederation Cup second-round match at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine, Algeria, on Sunday.

The game, which started with promise for the Tanzanian side, turned sour in the second half as CS Constantine scored two goals in just five minutes, overturning Simba’s early lead.

Simba’s coach, Fadlu Davids, made tactical adjustments for the match, starting with a solid defensive formation.

 The defense included three central defenders: Abdulrazak Hamza, Chamou Karaboue, and Fondoh Che Malone, supported by full-backs Shomary Kapombe and Mohammed Hussein ‘Tshabalala’.

In midfield, Fabrice Ngoma and Augustine Okejepha played as holding midfielders, while Leonel Ateba, Jean Charles Ahoua, and Kibu Denis led the attack, creating numerous problems for CS Constantine, especially in the first half.

Tactical setup
Unlike their first match against Angola’s Onze Bravos, where they were more offensive, Davids opted for a more defensive setup.

 He made two changes, bringing in Ateba and Karaboue in place of Steven Mukwala and Ladaki Chasambi.

The team was organized with eight players capable of defending, while Ngoma and Okejepha provided support in midfield.

The central defenders Malone, Hamza, and Karaboue also contributed to the defensive shape.

This made Simba defensively solid, with six players often staying back when the team was under attack.

However, when attacking, the system shifted, with Ahoua, Ateba, and Kibu Denis leading the offensive charge.

A sweet opening goal

The match began under heavy rain, but Simba was undeterred, playing attractive football and creating early chances.

The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when captain Tshabalala scored a brilliant goal.

 The goal stemmed from a short cross from Ahoua that was misjudged by CS Constantine’s goalkeeper, Kheireddine Boussouf, who inadvertently pushed the ball into his own net.

It was a well-worked move, and Tshabalala, combining well with Ahoua, gave Simba the lead, sending the team into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.

A shocking turnaround

The second half saw CS Constantine come out with much more intensity.

Just three minutes after the restart, a mishap in Simba’s defense allowed Constantine to equalize.

A clearance attempt from Hamza inadvertently found its way into his own net, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 48th minute.

 The hosts didn’t stop there—just two minutes later, in the 50th minute, Brahim Dib scored the go-ahead goal, putting CS Constantine 2-1 up.

The rapid shift in momentum left Simba reeling, and things got worse when Hamza suffered an injury and had to be substituted.

Debora Mavambo replaced him, and coach Davids made a series of changes, pulling off Tshabalala and Ateba for Valentin Nouma and Steven Mukwala.

Minutes later, Okejepha was substituted for Edwin Balua as the coach desperately sought to turn the game around.

Despite the changes, Simba could not recover, and the match ended with the hosts securing a 2-1 victory. With the result, Simba remained on three points, third in the group, while CS Constantine moved to the top with six points after winning both of their opening games.

Looking ahead
Simba will now turn their attention to their next match in Dar es Salaam against CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, scheduled for next Sunday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The Tanzanian side will need to bounce back quickly if they are to stay in contention in Group A.

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