CAF Champions League
Coach Oliveira happy to guide Simba SC to CAF Champions League quarter final stage
The head coach of Simba SC, Roberto Oliviera ‘Robertinho’ has said he is delighted his team has qualified for the quarter final stage of the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
Tanzania’s Simba SC made it to the quarters after humbling AC Horoya (Guinea) 7-0 in a Group C match played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday night.
It was a day Zambian international Clatous Chama netted a hattrick, while Jean Othos Belete and Sadio Kanoute netted a brace each to ensure Simba SC picked maximum points to make it three straight wins and move to nine points.
“I am glad we have worked hard to qualify for the quarter final stage with one more group match to play against Raja Casablanca,” said the Brazilian.
He praised his players for the hard work and being able to score many goals. “We need to keep working hard because there are many more matches to come,” said Oliviera who joined from Uganda’s Vipers SC in January this year.
In the other Group C match played on Saturday, Uganda’s Vipers SC picked their second point after coming from a goal down to settle for a 1-1 draw against Raja Casablanca from Morocco. Soufiane Benjdida gave the group leaders Raja Casablanca the lead after 18 minutes, but Abubakar Lawal leveled matters at the strong of half time.
It was a good start for Vipers SC’s new coach Alex Isabirye who joined the team few days ago. “I am happy that the players showed good character against an experienced side,” said Isabirye.
In the other matches played by teams from the CECAFA Zone Al Hilal of Sudan settled for a 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in a Group B match played in Khartoum. After a goalless first half Khuliso Mudau gave the South African giants the lead in the 67th minutes, but Mohmod Abdelrahman Yousif Yagoub leveled matters after 5 minutes.
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams later saved Atthar El-Tahir’s penalty kick to ensure the match ended 1-1. While Mamelodi Sundowns who lead the group with 11 points have already qualified for the quarter final stage, second placed Al Hilal with 10 points with need to beat Al Ahly or pick a draw in their last match in Cairo to book a place in the quarter final stage.
Another team from Sudan Al Merriekh are out of contention after they were held to a 1-1 draw by ES Tunis in a Group D match played in Benghazi, Libya on Friday night. The draw means ES Tunis and CR Belouizdad who beat Zamalek are through to the quarter finals.
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