- Simba played to a 0-0 draw with Asec Mimosas
- They face Jwaneng Galaxy in Dar next week
- Asec have qualified for the quarter finals
Tanzanian giants Simba SC say they have now switched all their energy to Jwaneng Galaxy in their final Group B match, as they look to qualify for the quarter final of the CAF Champions League.
Simba sit second in their group, five ahead of Asec Mimosas with whom they played to a 0-0 draw with in their penultimate match in Ivory Coast.
They will need to beat Jwaneng to book themselves a place in the last eight.
“We are thankful for the point we got away from home though it was not the best result that we desired, but at least we are grateful we got something to go back home with. We have now switched all our focus to Jwaneng in our last match where our only ambition is to win and make the quarter finals,” noted midfielder Mzamiru Yassin, speaking after their draw with Asec.
Simba have painful memories meeting Jwaneng. Two seasons ago, Simba faced the Botswana side in the second leg of their final preliminary round, needing a win or a draw to progress to the group stages of the Champions League but were beaten 3-1 at home to be eliminated.
This time, they are ready to make amends.
“Matches are different and this time it will not be the same. Of course we learnt lessons from that game and this season as well, we have aimed to improve in each game we play. I just want to ask our fans to come out in large numbers and support us at home to push us into history,” further added the Simba midfielder.
Simba have to wait, Asec are through
Action between Al Hilal and Petro du Luanda. PHOTO/CAF
While Simba will have to wait for their final match of the group to ascertain whether they can make the last eight, Asec assured themselves of a quarter final berth with the point they picked at home.
Meanwhile, apart from Simba, Angolan champions Petro de Luanda are the first team to qualify for the quarter finals after picking up a point in a 0-0 draw with Sudan’s Al Hilal, in a match played in Libya.
The result in North Africa means Petro are on nine points, top of Group C with one round of group stage matches left. With four points separating between them and Hilal who are second with five points, it means they will not finish outside the top two in the group.
Hilal share points with third placed Esperance, who play bottom side Etoile du Sahel in the other group match later this weekend.
Heading into Friday night’s fixture, Petro were under no pressure while Hilal were in a must win situation to keep their ambitions aloft.
The Angolans were disciplined in their approach, playing a tight high line while leaving Hilal to enjoy the possession.
Hilal had chances to score, but couldn’t get their final ball right. Petro offered threat on the counter-attack, with striker Tiago Azulao going close on a couple of occasions, but they were content to soak up the pressure from the hosts.
Hilal still have hopes of making the last eight, but they must beat Esperance when the two sides play in the final group stage match next week.
Ahly close in on quarter final ticket after beating Medeama
Hussein El Shahaat celebrates his goal for Ahly. PHOTO/Ahly/X
Elsewhere, defending champions Al Ahly have closed in on the quarter finals after a slim, nervy 1-0 win over Ghanaian side Medeama in Kumasi.
The victory away from home, Ahly’s second in Group D takes them to nine points, four ahead of second placed CR Belouizdad who play against third placed Yanga later on this weekend.
The red devils just need a point in their final match of the group to guarantee themselves a place in the last eight.
Hussein Elshahaat scored the winning goal for Ahly in the second half, but they had to contend with a hardworking and determined Medeama side who had several chances to score.
They had their best chance in the 22nd minute when Hamidu Al Fatawu had a cracking effort from a freekick, but Ahly keeper Mostafa Shobier. Shobier, stepping in for the injured Mohamed El Shenawy also had another good save earlier on to keep away an effort from Bernadinho Tetteh.
In the second half, Ahly started off stronger and they broke the deadlock just three minutes after the restart, Elshahat striking a brilliant ball beyond the keeper after picking up a pass from Anthony Modeste.
But still, the home side kept the pressure and Shobier once again proved a perfect replacement for their number one when he made a brilliant save to keep out Taylor Diawisie’s effort with the rebound coming off the bar.
Despite more efforts to try draw level, Medeama were unlucky infront of goal.
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