Simba, Al Ahly play to thrilling draw in Dar es Salaam

• Mahmoud Kahraba levelled for Al Ahly
• Simba had come from 1-0 down to lead 2-1
• The return tie will be played in Cairo on Tuesday

Mahmoud Kahraba tapped in the equalizer, as Ahly came from behind to force a 2-2 draw with home side Simba SC in a thrilling African Football League opening fixture at a fully packed Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Simba had scored two quick second half goals through Kibu Dennis and Sadio Kanoute to come from a goal down, but a slight lapse in concentration at the back saw them drop the lead and let Kahraba equalize.

Simba coach Roberto Oliveira said he was pleased with the result, though he reckons his side should have been able to wrap up a win at home.

“We played againat a very strong team and with a lot of experience in African football. It was a game of two halves; first half for Ahly, second half for Simba. There is a lot of positives we can pick heading into the return tie,” said the tactician.

His opposite number Marcel Koller also notes that his side did well, and there is all to play for in the return fixture in Cairo.

Result acceptable for Ahly 

Simba’s Dennis Kibu controls the ball under pressure from Ahly defenders

“The 2-2 result is acceptable for us heading back to Egypt. We play at home and we will give our best to ensure we win. It will not be easy, but we will work hard to earn what is deserved for us,” the Swiss tactician said after the game.

Reda Slim had given Ahly the lead right at the stroke of halftime, when he ran on to a through ball from Kahraba, sliding it past the keeper.

Slim had constantly been a threat and had some chances to score, but he ensured his best opportunity ended with the ball in the back of the net.

Simba had struggled to create clear cut chances, and their best opportunity was off a Clatous Chama freekick that curled beyond the wall but ended up in a comfortable catch for Mohamed El Shanawy.

In the second half though, Simba were off to a pacy start, tajnks to changes they had made. Kanoute and Jean Baleke coming on for Luis Miquissone and Mzamiru Yassin.

They were rewarded just seven minutes after the restart when Kibu dived to head in from close range after Chama had done well to float back a cross from the backpost.

And, the stadium roared into deafening crescendo just eight minutes later when Simba got into the lead, substitute Kanoute glancing in a header from the near post off a Saido Ntibanzokiza corner.

Poor marking from a set piece 

Action between Simba and Al Ahly in the African Football League

However, some poor marking from a setpiece at the back cost them as off a Magdy Afsha delivery from a freekick, substitute Marawan Attia slapped the ball across goal with keeper Salim pushing it to Kahraba’s path, the latter tapping home.

Despite the leveler, Simba still had the belief and they kept pushing. They almost got back into the lead with quarter of an hour left to play, but Saido Ntibazonkiza saw his shot from the edge of the box come off the bar.

Efforts to raise the attack by Simba could not conjure a third goal, and they now head for the return tie in Cairo next weekend needing either an outright win or a high scoring draw of more than two goals to progress.