- Simba must win their last match at home to qualify
- All four teams in Group D have a chance to go through
- Groups A and C have concluded qualification business
Tanzanian giants Simba SC were stunned after losing 3-0 away to Ivory Coast side Asec Mimosas in the CAF Confederation Cup. They would have lost by an even bigger margin, but had goalkeeper Aishi Manula to thank after the veteran shot stopper saved two penalties.
The defeat away from home leaves Simba down at third in the standings, same as second placed RS Berkane, but are edged out on head to head record.
Heading into the final week of group stage matches, Simba now has to beat Niger’s US Gendermerie in Dar es Salaam to earn themselves a place in the last eight.
In Abidjan, Asec revenged for the 3-1 loss they suffered in Dar es Salaam when the two sides met in the first leg.
Aubin Kramo opened the scoring for the home side with a clinical finish from inside the box after picking out a cross from the right.
Simba keeper Aishi Manula saves a penalty
Stephane Aziz Ki then doubled the tally for the home side with a brilliant finish, a shot on the quick turn from the edge of the box finding keeper Manula off his guard.
Just before the break, Asec would have gone 3-0 up but Manula made a save from the penalty spit to deny teen Karim Konate. Konate however made amends in the second half with a bullet header from a cross on the left.
Asec had a chance of making it four in the second half after Konate was brought down by Joash Onyango, but Manula saved Anicet Oura’s penalty.
With the win, Asec stormed top of the group with nine points.
Morocco’s RS Berkane moved to second with a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Nigerien side Gendarmerie to retain their hopes. Mouad Fekkak scored in the third minute of stoppage time to secure a point, with USGN having looked to be well on course for a win.
Group A
In Group A, Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli moved top after beating Pyramids FC 1-0 in Benghazi. Omar Gaber’s own goal in the 54th minute handed the Libyans maximum points at home, laying revenge for the 2-1 loss they suffered in Cairo in the first leg.
With the win, Tripoli are top with 12 points while Pyramids drop to second with 10 points. They both qualify for the quarter finals after Tunisian side CS Sfaxien lost 1-0 away to Zanaco.
Boyd Musonda scored the lone goal for Zanaco to ensure they pick at least one win from the group phase after four consecutive losses. Pyramids are on four points while Zanaco are bottom with three.
Group B
Orlando Pirates celebrate their win in Algeria
South African giants Orlando Pirates stormed top of the group after a hard earned 2-0 win away to Algeria’s JS Saoura. Second half goals from Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Kabelo Dlamini handed the Bucaneers maximum points.
They had to finish the last 14 minutes of the game with 10 men after Goodman Mosele was sent off for a second yellow, but they held on to move to 12 points top of the pile and have assured themselves of a place in the last eight.
Saoura meanwhile drop to third with seven points. They will now need to win their last game against Royal Leopards and hope Al Ittihad lose away to Orlando Pirates. Al Ittihad moved to second in the group with 10 points after beating Royal Leopards 3-2 in Tripoli.
Group C
In Group C, Al Masry and TP Mazembe have progressed from this group after favourable results in the penultimate round of matches.
Egyptian side Masry sit top with one match to go after edging out Cotonsport 2-0 in Port Said. Mohamed Grendo and 1-1 Ahmed Alaa Eldin scored in either half to hand Masry their third win in the group as they moved to 10 points.
TP Mazembe meanwhile remained second with eight points after a 2-2 draw against AS Otoho d’Oyo. The result sees Otoho remain third with five points and cannot pass Mazembe at second even if they win their last match and Mazembe lose due to the Congolese side’s better head to head record.
Otoho needed to win on Sunday to give themselves a chance, but twice came from behind to only force a draw.
Cotonsport are out of the race as they are on three points.
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