Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda Cranes midfielder Taddeo Lwanga marked a winning return to the Caf Champions League as his Tanzanian club Simba defeated AS Vita away in Kinshasa, DR Congo, on Friday.
The midfielder yet again featured for 90 minutes in coach Didier Gomes da Rosa’s as the Tanzanian club marked a winning start in Group A.
In a match where Vita asked Simba’s custodian Aishi Manula several questions, it was the Tanzanians who triumphed when striker Mutshimba Mugalu tucked home a penalty on 61 minutes after a handball off Mozambican winger Luís Miquissone’s shot.
“Tough match but we managed to win,” said Lwanga upon arrival back home yesterday.It is Simba’s first away victory in the new group stage format of Africa’s premier club competition.
“All teams would love to start on high so it’s a total motivation for us for the upcoming games in the group,” said the former Vipers, Express and SC Villa player.
Lwanga was booked seven minutes after the goal but Simba held on inside an empty Stade de Martyrs to defeat coach Florent Ibenge’s side.
Simba leads the group that also has defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt – who host Sudan side Al Merrikh tomorrow. The visitors have just sealed the signing of another Cranes’ midfielder Saidi Kyeyune.
Elsewhere, Cranes skipper and goalkeeper Denis Onyango kept another clean sheet as his South African club Mamelodi Sundowns beat Sudan’s Al-Hilal 2-0 in Group B on Sunday.
Mosa Lebusa and Kermit Erasmus scored for Sundowns past Mohamed Abooja, who started in goal for Hilal ahead of Ugandan Salim Jamal.
Robert Odongkara was also on the bench as Guinean club Horoya beat Angola’s Petro de Luanda 2-0 in Group C at General Lansana Conte Stadium.
Caf Champs League
RESULTS | GROUP AAS Vita (DRC) 0-1 Simba (TAZ)GROUP BMazembe (DRC) 0-0 Belouizdad(ALG)Sundowns (RSA) 2-0 Al Hilal (SUD)GROUP CHoroya (GUI) 2-0 Petro (ANG)TUESDAY | GROUP AAl Ahly (EGY) vs. Al Merrikh (SUD)
