Dar es Salaam. Simba SC face an uphill battle in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final after today (Wednesday) suffering a 2-0 defeat against Egypt’s Al Masry in the first leg.
The match, saw Simba dominate possession with 59 percent and attempt 18 shots compared to Al Masry’s six, yet their inefficiency in front of goal proved costly as the Egyptian side capitalized on their few chances to secure a crucial win.
Al Masry took the lead in the 16th minute through Deghmoum A, who finished a well-placed pass from El Gohary Y.
Despite Simba’s relentless efforts to equalize, they struggled with poor finishing, and their frustration grew as the match progressed.
The final blow came in the 89th minute when Ebuka J. scored Al Masry’s second goal, punishing Simba’s aggressive push for an equalizer and leaving the Tanzanian giants with a mountain to climb in the return leg.
Although Simba showed dominance in possession and attacking statistics, their lack of efficiency proved costly.
They managed seven shots on target but failed to convert even one, whereas Al Masry only had two shots on target, both resulting in goals.
Coach Fadlu Davids made several changes in an attempt to salvage the game, introducing Steven Mukwala for Leonel Ateba in the 80th minute to boost the attack, but the Egyptian defense held firm.
Al Masry employed a disciplined defensive strategy while relying on counter-attacks, and their tactical execution paid off as they managed to score twice despite Simba’s relentless pressure.
With the return leg set for April 9 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Simba must deliver a top-class performance to overturn the deficit.
A two-goal victory would force extra time, while a three goal win would see them advance outright.
The home advantage, backed by the passionate ‘Wanasimba’ supporters, could play a crucial role in inspiring a remarkable comeback.
To achieve this, Simba must address their attacking inefficiency.
Despite boasting quality forwards like Charles Jean Ahoua, Kibu Denis, and Mukwala, their inability to convert chances cost them dearly in the first leg.
Coach Davids must refine their attacking strategies in training to ensure they are more clinical in front of goal.
Breaking down Al Masry’s defensive wall will require an aggressive yet calculated approach.
The Egyptian side demonstrated strong defensive discipline, and Simba might need to utilize alternative attacking methods such as set-pieces, crosses, and long-range shots to break through.
Drawing inspiration from past home performances in CAF competitions, Simba can look back at their impressive victories against teams like Wydad Casablanca and ASEC Mimosas.
However, defensive discipline will also be vital, as Al Masry has already shown their ability to punish mistakes with clinical finishing.
Simba cannot afford to concede an away goal, as it would make their comeback even more difficult.
Ultimately, the only path forward for Simba is victory.
They must win by a significant margin, at least 2-0 to force extra time or 3-0 to secure a direct qualification.
With meticulous preparation, strategic adjustments, and the support of their home crowd, Simba has the potential to overturn the result and continue their journey in the CAF Confederation Cup.
