Simba’s CAF Champions League campaign has taken a worrying turn after the club suffered three consecutive defeats in the group stage, the worst run in their history.
The Tanzanian giants, who played in the CAF Confederation Cup final last season (2024–2025), are enduring a difficult group-stage journey this time around.
Their struggles continued in Tunisia, where they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Esperance, a result that left them bottom of Group D without a single point.
Simba’s problems began with a 1-0 home defeat against Petro Atletico before they went on to lose 2-1 away to Stade Malien.
Against Esperance, a 21st-minute goal by Jack Diarra, following a well-weighted assist from Mohamed Ben Hamida, proved decisive and further dented Simba’s hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
The latest defeat has left many Simba supporters losing belief, with the return leg against Esperance at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium next weekend already being viewed by some as a mere formality.
Despite the gloomy outlook, Simba are not completely out of the race, as qualification remains mathematically possible.
This marks the first time Simba have lost three consecutive matches at the CAF group stage, surpassing their previous worst record from the 2022–2023 Champions League campaign, when they lost their opening two games but still managed to advance.
Simba’s numbers underline the challenge ahead. They have scored only once while conceding four goals in three matches, leaving them with a steep mountain to climb in the remaining fixtures.
Between 2018 and 2025, Simba established themselves as one of Africa’s most consistent teams, reaching the CAF quarter-finals seven times in eight seasons.
To repeat that feat, they must now win all their remaining matches against Esperance at home, Petro Atletico away and Stade Malien at home, while also hoping that rival teams drop crucial points.
Head coach Steve Barker made changes in Tunisia, handing starts to new signings Djibril Kassali and Nickson Kibabage.
Clatous Chama and Libase Gueye, also brought in during the mini transfer window, were introduced at the start of the second half.
The loss extended Barker’s winless run to three matches, following a Mapinduzi Cup semi-final defeat to Azam and a league draw against Mtibwa Sugar.
On the field, Simba struggled to match Esperance’s intensity.
The Tunisian side dominated attacking play for large periods, recording four shots on target from six attempts, while Simba managed only one on target from five.
Although Simba enjoyed slightly more possession, with 53 per cent compared to Esperance’s 47 per cent, it ultimately counted for little as they failed to score or collect any points.
With the group standings tightening, Simba now face a defining moment in their continental campaign, one that will require resilience, perfect results and a touch of luck to keep their CAF dream alive.
