Simba collapse in last minutes as Raja pick heavy win in Dar

• Simba conceded two goals in the last seven minutes
• They have now lost two matches back to back in the Champions League
• Raja are on top of the table

Tanzanian giants Simba SC collapsed in the last seven minutes of the match as they suffered a 3-0 heavy loss at the hands of Moroccan giants Raja Club Athletic in their CAF Champions League fixture this weekend.

Simba had conceded early but showed a good response to try and grab a point at home against the giants, but they collapsed when it mattered most, handing raja a flatering victory.

Hamza Khabba had given the visitors a first half lead, but Simba seemed to have picked themselves up and looked determined for a good result at home.

However, Soufiane Benjdida scored the second for Raja in the 83rd minute before Ismail Mokadem’s penalty two minutes later sealed the victory.

With the result, Raja, who last weekend thrashed Uganda’s Vipers 5-0 sit top of Group C with a maximum six points while Simba sit bottom of the group with zero points after back to back losses.

“I think we played really well for majority of the game and we could have gotten something from our home match. But again, the match was decided with the little details and we need to ensure we learn and bounce back,” said Simba’s coach Robertinho.

Nothing lost 

He added; “There is still nothing lost. We have to ensure we bounce back for the next match because we have a chance to make our dream in the quarter final.”

Khabba gave Raja the lead on the half hour mark with a beautiful strike into the roof of the net from the edge of the box after being played through by Zakaria Habti.

It was a well deserved lead as they had played better, and they took it to the halftime break.

Simba skipper John Bocco in action against Raja. PHOTO/Simba

In the second half, Simba came back more determined and pushed Raja to defend deep, looking for that crucial goal to take them back into the tie.

John Bocco came close when he slid in to try to connect to a Clatous Chama freekick but he was a few seconds late as Anas Zniti collected the ball before him.

Simba continued their push, but were put off with seven minutes left when Benjdida scored the second for Raja. The substitute who had just spent six minutes on the pitch controlled the ball inside the box before volleying beyond Aishi Manula.

Raja seal victory 

Raja sealed the tie two minutes later when Mokadem scored from the spot after Joash Onyango committed a foul inside the box.

Simba tried to rally late for a goal back with Moses Phiri and Jean Baleke having shots go just wide.

Elsewhere in Kinshasa, Petro de Luanda picked up a precious 2-1 win away to AS Vita Club. Tiago Azulao and Anderson Cruz scored in either half, while Vita’s consolation was scored by Eric Kabwe.

With the result, Petro who started their campaign with a draw against JS Kabilye move top of the group with four points.