CAFCC: Simba surprises Al Masry to secure semi-finals matchup with Stellenbosch

Tanzanian powerhouses Simba SC overcame a two-goal first-leg deficit on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam, defeating Egypt’s Al Masry 4-1 on penalties after winning 2-0 in regulation time.

Simba drew the match on aggregate with to goals from Elie Mpanzu and Steven Mukwala in the first half after losing the first leg in Suez by the same score.

In the shootout, the home squad scored four well-taken penalties, while Al Masry missed two of their three attempts.

In order to tie the score, Simba storms back. Simba swiftly solidified his dominance at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium with the help of a passionate crowd.

Mpanzu finished a solo run and opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a flawless strike past Mahmoud Gad in the Al Masry goal.

Ten minutes later, Mukwala doubled the lead with a powerful header that left the goalie alone. Samadou, Al Masry’s Beninese defender, was injured and replaced during the first half, which was marred by stoppages.

Despite their best efforts, the Egyptians failed to establish themselves in the game.

In the second half, Al Masry seemed more positive after substituting Mido Gaber and Mohamed Hashem.

There was a controversial moment when Simba was handed a penalty, but the decision was overturned after a VAR check.

In order to make apologies, Mahmoud Gad made several crucial stops that stopped Simba from extending their lead in open play.

But he couldn’t repeat the same heroics in the penalty shootout. Sadness brought on by the Egyptians’ punishment Throughout the shootout, Simba was flawless.

Mukwala, Jean Ahoua, Shomari Kapombe, and Kibu Dennis all skillfully converted their penalties.

Al Masry’s only goal was from Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, and their squad was eliminated since neither Mahmoud Hamada nor Mido Gaber scored.

The result ends Al Masry’s chances of returning to the Confederation Cup semifinals, where they last went in 2018.

Playing the South African squad, Stellenbosch, who defeated the defending champs, marks a major turning point for Simba.