Simba SC’s CAF Champions League campaign came to an end on Saturday night after a 1-1 draw with Angolan side Petro Atlético in their final Group D encounter.
The Tanzanian champions endured a sluggish start and were punished in the 13th minute when Pedro Pinto opened the scoring for Petro, finishing off a delivery from Benny. Simba head coach Steve Barker once again handed a starting role to compatriot Rushine De Reuck in central defence, while Neo Maema was left out of the matchday squad.
Simba’s task became even more difficult late in the first half when Shomari Kapombe was sent off. Despite being a man down, Barker’s side showed resilience and salvaged a point nine minutes from time through Anicet Oura. The result, however, was not enough to keep their continental hopes alive.
Power Dynamos 2-0 RS Berkane
Zambia’s Power Dynamos claimed a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Moroccan champions RS Berkane to secure third place in Group D and boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages.
The visitors held firm in the opening half, but Dynamos struck just a minute after the restart when Ronel Manyanga broke the deadlock. Substitute Prince Mumba sealed the win late on, as the Zambian giants recorded back-to-back victories to move within touching distance of the quarter-finals.
FAR Rabat 1-0 Young Africans
FAR Rabat edged closer to qualification from Group B with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Young Africans.
The contest appeared destined for a draw until Anas Bach struck five minutes from time, much to the disappointment of the Tanzanian visitors, to hand ASFAR all three points.
JS Kabylie 0-0 Al Ahly
Defending champions Al Ahly booked their place in the quarter-finals after playing out a goalless draw with Algeria’s JS Kabylie.
Kabylie, coached by former Orlando Pirates boss Josef Zinnbauer, are still searching for their first win of the group stage and have now been eliminated. Al Ahly, meanwhile, remain top of the group and have secured progression with a match to spare.
