Early exit for Simba SC, Al Merreikh in CAF Champions League

Tanzania Premier League champions Simba SC and Al Merreikh (Sudan) were shockingly ejected in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League last weekend. Simba who reached the group stage last season failed to go past Mozambique’s UD Songo FC who managed to draw 1-1 in Dar es Salaam to qualify for the first round on an away goal rule.

Al Merreikh conceded two goals in two minutes of added time to pick a 3-2 win against JS Kabylie. But the Algerian champions qualified on an away goals rule since they won the home game 1-0.

South Sudan’s Atlabara FC were ejected 13-0 on goal aggregate against giants Al Ahly of Egypt, while Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) saw off Burundi’s Aigle Noir 5-1. Sudan’s Al Hilal eliminated Rwanda’s Rayon Sports on away goal rule, while Somalia’s Dekedaha FC and Ethiopia’s Mekelle 70 Enderta were also ejected.

The first round of the CAF Champions league will now see teams from the Cecafa region like KCCA FC (Uganda) face Petro de Luanda (Angola),  Al-Hilal take on Enyimba (Nigeria) and Gor Mahia battle USM Alger (Algeria). Tanzania’s Young Africans will take on Zesco (Zambia).

The first leg game of the first round will be played between September 13-15^th, while the return legs will be played between September 27-29^th.