Africa-Press – Tanzania. SIMBA produced a sparkling performance to register a convincing 3-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs but was not enough as they failed to progress into CAF Champions League semifinals.
In a largely one sided encounter at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the South African side marched into the last four of the competition courtesy of an aggregate 4-3 win, making it their first time to reach that far in the contest.
Skipper John Bocco scored a brace, netting one goal in each half while Clatous Chama scored a brilliant 85th minute goal but it was not enough to give his side the much needed results.
Indeed, Didier Gomes Da Rosa charges had themselves to blame for wasting countless scoring opportunities after dictating the game from the onset to the final whistle.
It could have easily been 7-0 had strikers Chris Mugalu (twice), Luis Miquissone, Chama and Bocco had composed themselves in front of the goal.
The Reds were really close to produce the 1979 magical comeback; when they were able to overturn a 4-0 deficit against Zambian club Mufulira Wanderers.
Simba suffered the loss in Dar es Salaam but went ahead to win 5-0 in the second-leg clash away in Lusaka.
This remains the biggest comeback in the history of the CAF Champions League. And, they were just too close to repeat their massive comeback but things could not go their way as they were heartbrokenly knocked out of the top tier clubs competition in the continent in front of their passionate fans.
Had they managed to get at least one away goal in their first leg match in South Africa, the Reds could have navigated themselves into the last four of the champions league for the first time.
As expected, Simba began the match on front pedal knowing in advance that they were trailing by 4-0 hence netting an early goal was the best option to keep them into the game.
Immediately after the kickoff, the host missed a good scoring chance in the 3rd minute, as Muzamiru Yassin could not compose himself at the edge of the box to fire off target.
After observing they have won the midfield battle, coach Gomes called to bench Yassin and introduced Bernard Morrison who injected much pace, threat and guile to the hosts.
His emergence was timely as he was able to play several penetration passes which gave Kaizer Chiefs defenders torrid moment but most chances created ended in the waiting hands of the visitors’ goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
As the game unfolded, it was Simba who really looked threat when threading forward and after several near misses they were rewarded in the 24th minute, when Bocco powered home, finishing from Mugalu’s assist.
After scoring, Simba maintained pressure, targeting to score more goals but they suffered a huge set back after half an hour mark, when defender Joash Onyango and midfielder Thadeo Lwanga were involved in an aerial collision.
The encounter had to be paused for at least six minutes but the duo failed to continue with the game and were replaced by Erasto Nyoni and Kennedy Juma respectively.
At the restart, the visitors had one of the best chances in the 47th minute but a header from their Colombian striker David Leonardo Castro sailed wide.
In the 56th minute, Bocco completed his brace from a smartly delivered pass from Miquissone which enabled the former to pump in the second goal at a close range.
Bocco who was on fire ought to have grabbed his hat-trick two minutes later but wasted another glittering chance.
Another chance for Simba went begging in the 72nd minute, this time Mugalu fluffed a perfect chance after being set up by Shomary Kapombe.
But, it was not over yet as Chama hammered the third goal five minutes before the final whistle using well panic exposed by Kaizer Chiefs defenders.
Knowing that they need only one goal to tie the game, Simba mounted pressure but it was against the time.
