Simba SC pulled off a stunning comeback against Al Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup, defeating the Egyptian side 4-1 on penalties after a 2-0 victory in regulation time. This victory came after Simba had lost the first leg in Suez by the same score, giving them the aggregate score needed to advance to the next round.
The match, played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, saw Simba dominate from the start with goals from Elie Mpanzu and Steven Mukwala in the first half. Mpanzu opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort in the 22nd minute, beating Al Masry goalkeeper Mahmoud Gad with a well-placed shot. Mukwala then doubled the lead with a powerful header ten minutes later, leaving Al Masry with a mountain to climb.
Despite Al Masry’s efforts to get back into the game, they struggled to break down Simba’s defense. The Egyptians made some tactical changes in the second half, bringing on Mohamed Hashem and Mido Gaber to inject some energy into their attack. However, Simba’s goalkeeper made some crucial saves to deny Al Masry any goals in open play.
The match took a dramatic turn when Simba was awarded a penalty, only for the decision to be overturned after a VAR check. Gad continued to impress with his shot-stopping abilities, but he couldn’t prevent Simba from taking the game to a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Simba showed composure as Shomari Kapombe, Kibu Dennis, Mukwala, and Jean Ahoua all converted their penalties with ease. On the other hand, Al Masry struggled, with Fakhreddine Ben Youssef being the only player to score. Mido Gaber and Mahmoud Hamada missed their spot-kicks, sealing Al Masry’s fate and sending Simba through to the next round.
The result was a heartbreaking end for Al Masry, who had hoped to reach the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup for the first time since 2018. For Simba, this victory marks a significant milestone as they prepare to face South African side Stellenbosch in the next round, following their elimination of the reigning champions.
Overall, the match was a thrilling encounter that showcased Simba’s resilience and determination to overcome a two-goal deficit and secure a memorable victory. The Tanzanian side will now look to build on this momentum as they continue their quest for continental glory in the CAF Confederation Cup.
