Anicet Oura gives Steve Barker’s Simba SC narrow CAF Champions League advantage

Former Stellenbosch FC winger Anicet Oura scored the only goal as Steve Barker’s Simba SC secured a valuable 1-0 away victory over Malawian champions Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.

The result gives Simba SC an important advantage ahead of the return leg, with Barker’s side taking a slim lead back from Malawi. They will now have a week to prepare for the second meeting, knowing that another disciplined performance could take them through to the next round of the competition.

The match was closely contested from the outset, with Mighty Mukuru Wanderers proving a difficult opponent. The Malawian champions had lost only two matches since December 2024, underlining the scale of the task facing Simba SC.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock before half-time. The game went into the interval with the score still 0-0, leaving the tie finely balanced after a competitive opening 45 minutes.

Simba SC eventually found the breakthrough in the second half. Oura, who previously played for Stellenbosch FC, put the visitors ahead in the 68th minute.

The winger’s goal remained the only one of the match, allowing Simba SC to hold on for a narrow victory and maintain their strong defensive run. The Tanzania-based side have now kept clean sheets in three consecutive matches, following earlier 1-0 and 2-0 wins over Coastal Union and Geita Gold respectively.

For Barker and his players, the clean sheet was as significant as Oura’s decisive contribution. Simba SC had to protect their lead for the remainder of the contest, while Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were unable to find an equaliser before the final whistle.

Oura’s strike means Simba SC have taken the first step towards progressing from the CAF Champions League preliminary round. Their advantage is limited to a single goal, however, leaving the tie open ahead of the return fixture in a week.

The result comes during an opening stage of the competition that has already produced notable results elsewhere. Rulani’s Pyramids began their CAF Champions League campaign with a win, while Pirates were held by Mauritius minnows.

For now, Simba SC will focus on completing the job in the return leg. A repeat of the defensive resilience that secured victory in Malawi would put Barker’s team in a strong position to reach the next round.