Simba Coach Benchikha rues missed chances in Al Ahly defeat

The head coach of Simba SC has blamed the defeat to Al Ahly to the many chances his players wasted in-front of goal on Friday in Dar es Salaam.

Simba SC suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Egyptian giants in the first leg of the quarter final match of the 2023/2024 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Ahmed Nabil Koka gave Al Ahly the lead after only four minutes after a defensive lapse at the Simba SC defending line infront of over 40,000 home fans at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC who are playing in their second straight quarter final of the Champions League dominated play with a 62 percentage against Al Ahly’s 38%. The likes of Saidi Ntibazonkiza, Clatous Chota Chama and substitute Willy Essomba Onana missed some seemingly clear scoring chances infront of goal.

Benchikha Abdelhak, the Simba SC head coach said that although they dominated play and gave a good account, they failed to score. “Al Ahly crated one chance and scored, but we had six good chances and failed to score,” reasoned the coach.

Abdelhak said that the early goal they conceded also made it very hard for his team because they were chasing from behind. “I am very sorry to our fans because they came in big numbers to support the team, but we failed to win after dominating,” he added.

He made it clear that although they are not scared of playing at the Cairo Stadium, they need to good back to the drawing board and prepare well ahead of the return leg. “We can also get a win in Cairo and qualify for the semi-final. We just need to learn to take our chances,” added the Simba SC coach.

The Al Ahly coach Marcel Martin Koller said that although his team did not create many chances in-front of goal, he is happy they picked the win away from home.” We still need to go and work hard for the return leg in-front of our fans,” he added.