Simba suffer penalty heartache in Champions League exit

• Simba lost 4-3 on penalties
• The game ended in a 1-1 aggregate draw
• Wydad will face the winner between CRB and Sundowns

Tanzanian giants Simba SC’s hopes of qualifying for a first ever semi-final in the new era of the CAF Champions League suffered heartbreak, as they lost 4-3 on post-match penalties to defending champions Wydad Athletic Club in Casablanca.

The game had to be decided on penalties after Wydad won the return fixture 1-0 at the end of the 90 minutes, tying the aggregate score at 1-1. Simba had won the first leg in Dar es Salaam 1-0.

On penalties, Shomari Kapombe’s day couldn’t get better as he saw his penalty saved, and so did Clatous Chama’s.

Wydad’s reserve goalkeeper Youssef El Motie who was stepping in for the injured Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti saved both penalties and was Wydad’s hero.

Erasto Nyoni, Saidi Ntibazonkiza and Moses Phiri scored for Wekundu wa Msimbazi.

Wydad did not miss any of their efforts as they expertly slotted home four spotkicks and didn’t need to go into the fifth after Chama’s miss.

Penalties tucked with military precision 

Skipper Yahya Jebrane, Ayoub El Amloud, Amine Abdoulfath and Abdellah Haimoud all tucked home their efforts with military precision.

Burly forward Bouly Sambou’s seventh goal of the campaign ensured the game went into penalties. The striker, who joined the Moroccan champions at the start of the season headed home in the 24^th minute after Kapombe’s clearance of Yahya Attiat Allah’s cross fell kindly into his path.

He could have scored a second in the 32^nd minute but another header off a Hicham Boussefiane cross was well saved by the Simba keeper.

Simba had decided to hold pon to their tactical discipline, and hitting Wydad on the counter as they knew they would swarm bodies forward knowing much they needed goals.

And still, the Tanzanian giants had chances to score with Chama having a shot from distance deflected inches over the bar for a corner after Sadio Kanoute had won possession in midfield.

Simba with another chance at goal

A minute to the break, Ntibanzokiza also had an opportunity when he pulled a shot from almost 35 yards out hoping to catch the keeper flat footed, but the effort rose over the target.

In the second half, Wydad stepped up, urged on by their home fans who were now beginning to get nervous, as the tie remained evenly poised.

Three minutes after the restart they almost scored the second when Ayman El Hassouni swung a volley from close range off a cross on the left but it flew inches over the bar.

The home side kept raiding, hoping something would open up for them and score a second to settle their nerves.

Simba on their end defended in numbers, but they knew one goal would make a huge difference. They had a chance to score off a freekick from good range in the 64^th minute but Chama saw his effort deflect off Sambou’s back for a corner.

Wydad built the pressure, but no goals were forthcoming and the tie had to be sealed on penalties.

For the semis, the Red Castle will take on the winner between Mamelodi Sundowns and CR Belouizdad who play in Pretoria on Saturday.