CAF Confederation Cup | Result
- Simba 2-0 Al Masry (Aggregate 2-2)
- Penalties: Simba 4-1 Al Masry
Uganda Cranes forward Steven Mukwala was on target as Tanzania’s Simba SC secured a historic spot in the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup, ending a 51-year wait for continental success.
Simba last reached the semifinals of the then-African Cup of Champions Clubs now known as the CAF Champions League in 1974.
Their latest achievement came after a dramatic turnaround against Egyptian side Al Masry at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Simba needed a big performance and they delivered in front of their loud home crowd.
By halftime, they had levelled the aggregate score, thanks to goals from Elie Mpanzu and Steven Mukwala.
Mpanzu opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, calmly finishing from Shomari Kapombe’s well-placed delivery.
Just ten minutes later, Mukwala doubled the lead with a powerful header, connecting perfectly with Hussein Mohamed’s cross from the left flank.
Al Masry attempted to respond before the break, but goalkeeper Moussa Camara made two outstanding saves to preserve Simba’s lead.
In the second half, the Egyptian side adopted a defensive approach, successfully dragging the match into a penalty shootout.
Simba kept their composure from the spot, with Jean Charles Ahoua, Mukwala, Denis Kibu, and Kapombe all converting.
Al Masry only managed one successful penalty, through Ben Youssef Fakhreddine, as Camara once again rose to the occasion saving spot-kicks from Mido Gaber and Mahmoud Hamada.
With a 4-1 win in the shootout, Simba sealed their place in the semifinals, sending them to the last four in the CAF Confederation Cup.
