Simba SC, Mtibwa Sugar face tricky return duels

Simba striker John Bocco (right) tries to beat Nkana FC players during the African Champions League first leg encounter at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe, Zambia yesterday. Nkana FC won 2-1 in the encounter. The two sides will meet in the return leg match in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on December 23. PHOTO | tHOBIAS SEBASTIAN

What you need to know:

  • Simba scored one against two of Zambia’s Nkana FC while Mtibwa Sugar went down 3-0 against Uganda’s Kampala City Council Authority

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s representatives in the African continental championships, Simba SC and Mtibwa Sugar now face tough return leg matches after conceding defeats in their away matches yesterday.

Simba scored one against two of Zambia’s Nkana FC at Nkana Stadium while Mtibwa Sugar went down 3-0 against Uganda’s Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) at the Phillip Omondi Stadium in the Confederation Cup.

Goals from Ronald Kampamba in the 26th and Kelvin Kampamba in the 56th shocked Simba FC in the encounter which was officiated by Nigerian referees Salisu Basheer and assistants Peter Eigege Ogwu and Efosa Celestine Igudia. Simba’s goal was scored by John Bocco in the 72nd following Nkana FC’s defender fouling Meddie Kagere in the penalty area. Msimbazi Street giants now need just 1-0 victory in the second leg encounter to be held at the National Stadium on December 23rd. The match would be officiated by Kenyan referees Peter Wawaru to be assisted by Gilbert Cheruiyot and Tony Kidiya. Defensive blunders earned Nkana FC goals in the encounter which saw former Young Africans defender Hassan Kessy play his first international match against the Tanzanian side for Zambian giants.

Simba defence absorbed many attacks from Nkana FC players led by captain Walter Bwalya. Zambian side dominated in midfield and created many scoring chances, but Simba’s goalkeeper Aishi Manula did a commendable job to clear all dangerous balls.

“We made mistakes and allowed two goals in the encounter. This is the first leg, our task is to reverse the results in the second encounter and book space in the group stage,” said Simba’s head coach Patrick Aussems.

In Kampala, Uganda, Mtibwa Sugar was humiliated 3-0 by KCCA in the Confederation Cup enmcounter. KCCA goals were scored by Allan Kyambadde in 48th, Patrick Kadu (73rd) and Allan Okello in the 85th. The two teams will meet in the return leg on December 22nd at Azam Complex. Mtibwa Sugar need 4-0 victory in order to advance in the next stage of the competition.