Tanzanian side Simba SC have made a good start in Group A of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

Coach Fadlu Davids’ side picked a narrow 1-0 win against the Angolan side Bravos do Maquis in a match played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

The hosts started on a high with several attacks, as the visitors tried to adapt and adjust to the game.

It was Jean Charles Ahoua who put Simba SC ahead when he converted a penalty after 27 minutes after Edmilson Paulo Generoso had handled the ball in the box.

The Ivorian made no mistake from the spot placing the ball past the Bravos do Maquis goalkeeper.

Simba SC continued to push forward with Ugandan international Steven Mukwala having many attempts at goal.

After recess the visitors were awarded a penalty taken by Emmanuel Edmond which the Simba SC goalkeeper Moussa Camara saved after 48 minutes.

Bravos do Maquis again had Jó Paciência and Macaiabo come close to scoring, but his effort narrowly missed the target.

Simba’s Joshua Mutale also hit the post in the 66th minute, coming agonizingly close to doubling the lead.

The Angolan team continued to push forward in search of an equalizer, but the defending line of experienced Shomari Kapombe and Mohamed Hussein stood firm.

“We are happy that we have picked maximum points in this tough first match of the group stage. I want to thank the fans for all the support,” said Simba SC’s coach after the match.

In the second Group A match played later visiting CS Constantine (Algeria) defeated Tunisia’s Sfaxien 1-0.

Tanzanian Premier League side, Simba SC will host Bravos do Maquis in the first Group A match of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam.

Under the watchful eyes of head coach Fadlu Davids, Simba SC will be hoping to make a good start in the group stages against the Angolan side.

“We need to be very cautious and utilize the opportunities we create in-front of goal, but also defend well,” said Simba SC’s coach Davids.

Simba SC who are currently top of the Tanzania Premier League will hope that the likes of Prosper Denis Kibu, Leonel Ateba and Edwin Balwa who scored in the second round against Al Ahli Tripoli find their scoring touch again.

The Bravos do Maquis team which jetted in this evening in Dar es Salaam on a chartered flight will be led in search of goals by Francisco Mataco, Tiago Fota and Luismanico Gonclaves.

While Simba Sc started their campaign in the second round ejecting Al Ahli Tripoli from Libya, Bravos do Maquis eliminated Coastal Union FC (Tanzania) in the first round, and saw-off Saint Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo) in the second round.

Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien will also host CS Constantine (Algeria) in the other Group A match to be played on Wednesday.

Tanzania Premier League side, Simba Sc have been drawn to face two teams from North Africa and one from the CECAFA Zone in the group stage of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

During the draw supervised by the CAF Director of Competitions and Events, Samson Adamu on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt, Simba SC were placed in Group A alongside CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), CS Constantine (Algeria) and Angola’s FC Bravos.

Legends Lawrence Siphiwe Dambuza Tshabalala, a former South African player and Al Hilal coach Florent Ibenge helped conduct the draw.

To qualify for the group stage, Simba SC eliminated Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli 3-1 on goal aggregate in the second preliminary round.

The record 22 time Tanzania Premier League champions Simba SC are the only team that will carry the CECAFA flag in the Zone after Burundi’s Rukinzo FC and Kenya Police all exited at the second preliminary stage.

Former champions RS Berkane (Morocco) have been placed in Group B with Stade Malien (Mali), Stellenbosch FC (South Africa) and CD Lunda – Sul FC. USM Alger (Algeria), ASEC Mimosa (Ivory Coast), and ASC Jaraaf (Senegal) are placed in Group C.

The reigning champion, fresh from winning the CAF Super Cup Zamalek (Egypt) are placed in Group D together with Al Masry (Egypt), Enyimba FC (Nigeria) and Black Bulls FC (Mozambique).

The group stage is expected to kick off in the last week of November 2024.

Simba SC have booked a place in the group stage of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The Tanzania Premier League side battled from a goal down at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dra es Salaam on Sunday to defeat Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli 3-1 on Sunday to qualify for the group stage.

After only 17 minutes Angolan striker Paciencia Mabululu intercepted a back-pass and slotted the ball in the net to give the visitors the lead. But Simba SC fought back strongly to score through Dennis Kibu and Leonel Ateba to give them a 2-1 lead at the interval.

Later in the second half Simba continued to dominate play and added a third goal through Edwin Balua to ensure the Tanzanian team qualified on a 3-1 goal aggregate.

Simba Sc becomes the only team from the CECAFA Zone that has qualified for the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup after Burundi’s Rukinzo FC and Kenya Police all exited at the second preliminary stage.

Simba SC has now qualified for the group stage together with CS Constantine, USM Alger (Algeria), Orapa United (Botswana), Black Bulls FC (Mozambique), Bravos do Maquis, Lunda Sul FC (Angola), Stellenbosch FC (South Africa), CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), Al Masry, Zamalek FC (Egypt), Enyimba FC (Nigeria), Stade Malien (Mali), ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast), RS Berkane (Morocco) and ASC Jaraaf (Senegal).