Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIAN clubs endured a difficult start in their CAF interclub campaigns over the weekend, with Simba SC, Azam FC and Singida Black Stars all falling to defeats, while Young Africans were the only side to register a win.
Simba SC began their CAF Champions’ League Group D campaign with a 1-0 home loss to Angola’s Atlético Petróleos de Luanda at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Despite enjoying long spells of possession and creating several promising chances, Simba were unable to breach the visitors’ defence.
Morice Abraham rattled the post in the first half from an Alassane Kanté–Joshua Mutale combination, while Elie Mpanzu came agonisingly close in the second half.
Simba’s resistance was finally broken in the 78th minute when a low drive from Bernardo Dias, deflected off Rushine De Reuck, and beat goalkeeper Yakoub Seleman.
The defeat leaves Simba at bottom of Group D without a point, while Atlético Petróleos top the table.
Azam FC also struggled in the CAF Confederation Cup, losing 2-0 to DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union at Pentecost Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa.
Christian Balako opened the scoring in the 43rd minute after capitalizsing on a defensive lapse, and Ozome Mukeni sealed the win with a diving header in the 85th minute.
Azam remain at the bottom of Group B without a point, with AS Maniema Union leading the group.
Nairobi United and Wydad Casablanca were scheduled to face off later in the group’s opening fixture.
It has also been a disappointing weekend for Singida Black Stars, who lost 2-0 away to Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in a CAF Confederation Cup match at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Saturday.
Goals from Abdennour Belhocini and Abdelraouf Benguit handed the hosts all three points, leaving the Tanzanian side struggling in their continental campaign.
Following the defeat, Singida sit at the bottom of their group, with CR Belouizdad commanding the table thanks to superior goal difference.
Stellenbosch FC hold second place with three points but a lower goal tally, while AS Otohô occupy third in the standings.
Amid the disappointment, Young Africans were the only Tanzanian side to secure a positive result, defeating Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat at New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar on Saturday.
The Tanzanian champions earned the win thanks to a second-half strike from Prince Dube, giving them a moraleboosting start to their CAF Champions League campaign.
Following the victory, Yanga sit second in Group A with three points, just behind Egyptian giants Al Ahly, who thrashed Algerian side JS Kabylie 4-1 in their opening match.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
