CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Simba SC, Al Merreikh through to group stage

Tanzanian giants Simba Sports Club and Al Merreikh (Sudan) have qualified for the lucrative group stage of the CAF Champions league.

The two teams and hopefully Al Hilal (Sudan) who are waiting for a ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will carry the flag for the Council of east and central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) in the group stage.

To reach the group stage Simba SC humbled Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum 4-0 in the return leg played at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.

Erasto Edward Nyoni put Simba SC ahead after 38 minutes when he converted a penalty. In the second half Shomari Salum Kapombe and John Bocco added two more goals before Clatous Chama got his name on the score sheet from the spot to ensure Simba qualified on a 4-1 aggregate.

“We are happy to make it to the group stage. As a team we shall continue to work hard to ensure we perform well in the group stage,” said striker Bocco.

Sudan Premier League reigning champions Al Merreikh also qualified for the group stage on a 4-2 goal aggregate.
Having won the first leg 3-0 in Khartoum against Nigeria’s Enyimba, the Sudan giants battled and lost 2-1 at Enyimba International Stadium. Star striker Saif Terry who netted a hat-trick in the first leg netted early to give Al Merreikh the lead, before Victor Mbaoma scored a brace. “We have worked hard to make it to the group stage. I want to thank the players for the hard work,” said Al Merreikh coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa.

Another Sudanese side Al Hilal who won the first leg 1-0 away in Ghana against Asante Kotoko will wait for a verdict by CAF after the return leg was not played in Khartoum yesterday. Asante Kotoko could not raise a full team after some of their players tested positive for COVID-19.

Kenya’s Gor Mahia failed to make it to the group stage falling 2-1 at home to CR Belouizdad. The Kenyan champions had lost the first leg 6-0.

The other teams that have qualified for the CAF Champions League group stage include; Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Esperance de Tunis, TP Mazembe, Zamalek, Mamelodi Sundowns, Horoya, AS Vita Club, Petro de Luanda, MC Alger, Teungueth and Kaizer Chiefs.