CAF Confederation Cup (1st Leg, 1st Round):
- Simba (Tanzania) 2-2 El Masry (Egypt)
Tanzanian side Simba Sports Club shared the spoils with visiting El Masry from Egypt in a four goal explosive CAF Confederation Cup match played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
In the match handled by South African FIFA Referee, Thando Helpus, there were three penalties, all converted.
Two of the scored penalties belonged to the hosts Simba Sports Club and were netted by team captains – John Bocco and his predecessor Emmanuel Arnold Okwi.
Mohammed Emam tested goalkeeper Aishi Manula from an acute angle for a corner two minutes into the game.
Three minutes later, Okwi teased, twisted and turned Al Masry left back Mahamed Mahmoud but his delivered cross was well dealt with.
After 10 minutes, Simba was awardd a penalty following a handball by Mohammed Koffi who blocked a goal bound attempt.
Koffi was cautioned by the day’s referee before Simba captain Bocco drilled home the resultant penalty to send the hundreds of spectators in the stands crazy.
Simba’s joy lasted for only two minutes as Ahmed Goma cut short the excitement with the equalizer from an acute angle on the right following a quick counter attack.
The visitors took the lead on 25 minutes through defender Ahmed Abdalraof’s well taken penalty after a hand ball incident by James Kotei.
Simba Sports Club rival fans returned to life as they wildly jubilated the goal and command position of the game by the white and green dressed El Masry team players.
On 33 minutes, El Masry player Amir Mousa fouled Okwi 35 yards away from goal. The Ugandan international rose up to take the resultant free-kick which hit Mohammed Emam on the head and fell in discomfort. Medics were called upon to arrest the situation.
Moments later, Okwi was again a beneficiary of free-kick situation 25 yards away but his well-drilled low drive was a routine collection for the El Masry goalkeeper, Ahmed Abdelwahab.
Towards the end of the game’s opening stanza, overlapping defender Erasto Nyoni crossed a tempting ball in the area but Bocco and Okwi collided with the former heading high of the goal posts.
Abdalraof would have easily made it 3-1 but his free-header at the death of the first half was easily tamed by Simba goalkeeper Manula.
Shiza Kichuya got cautioned for a late tackle on Abdalraof and the opening 45 minutes eclipsed with the visitors ahead 2-1.
Upon restart, it was the visiting side that continued from where they left off in the first half.
Left back Abdalraof had a curling free-header headed out for a corner from the left after five minutes of the second half.
Simba’s Shiza Kichuya got booked by South African FIFA Referee, Thando Helpus for a foul on Ahmed Mohammed on 52 minutes before Asante Kwasi also going into the book for a malicious foul on winger Mohamed Ahmed two minutes from the hour mark.
On 62 minutes, the home side called for their first change in the game when Laudit Mavugo came in for team captain John Bocco who handed over the captaincy and team leadership role to striking partner, Emmanuel Okwi.
Okwi missed from close range when his shot with the outside of the right foot kissed the upright in the 64th minute.
After 70 minutes, Simba called for the second change in the game. Defender Yusuf Mlipili paved way for Said Ndemla.
Simba were rewarded a second penalty in the match when Okwi dribbled past Mohamed Mahmoud before Koffi handled the ball.
The center referee, who was close to meters from the thick of action pointed to the penalty spot.
Okwi successfully converted the resultant kick to make it 2 all.
With the last quarter of the game, the heavens set loose.
The Egyptians, in a bid to slow the tempo of the game resorted to time wasting antics but Simba remained focused for a killer.
With two minutes left on the clock, the drizzle turned into a serious down pour.
Coupled with darkness that clouded the entire stadium, the players and match officials returned to the dressing rooms until power was restored.
Still under the rain, play re-started for the final ten minutes but bore no fruits in terms of goal dividends.
By this time, a large section of fans had been displaced by the harsh weather.
The return leg will be played in a fortnight in Egypt.
Team Line Ups:
Simba XI: Aishi Manula (G.K), Shomari Kapombe, Asante Kwasi, Yusufu Mlipili, Erasto Nyoni, Jonas Mkude, Emmanuel Arnold Okwi, James Kotei, John Raphael Bocco (Captain, 62’ Laudit Mavugo), Shiza Kichuya, Nicholas Gyan
Substitutes Not Used: Said Muhamed (G.K), Mwinyi Kazimoto, Mohamed Hussein, Murushid Juuko, Yassin Mzamiru, Said Noemla
Al Masry XI: Ahmed Abdelwahab (G.K), Ahmed Abdalraof, Mohamed Mahmoud, Ahmed Gomaa, Islam Salem (Captain), Amir Mousa, Islam Atta, Mohammed Emam, Farid Emam, Mohamed Koffi, Mohamed Ahmed
Substitutes: Ahmed Bisca (G.K), Aristide Bance Bomeo, Said El Said, Issof Outtara, Ahmed Ali, Mohamed Abousheaisha, Mustafa Mohamed
