Onana double rekindles Simba’s Champions League hopes

Dar es Salaam. Two first-half goals from Willie Esomba Onana propelled Simba to a thrilling 2-0 victory over Wydad Casablanca at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Tuesday, reigniting their Champions League knock out stage ambitions.

Onana, a constant threat throughout the encounter, pounced on a precise Kibu Dennis pass in the 35th minute to break the deadlock.

Just three minutes later, he doubled the lead with a clinical finish after Mzamiru Yasin set him free with a pinpoint pass.

The goals saw Simba leapfrog Jwaneng Galaxy into second place in Group B with five points from four matches, with Wydad rooted to the bottom on four points.

However, the race for the two knock-out stage spots remains wide open, with all four teams still mathematically in contention.

With two matches remaining, Simba's fate is in their own hands. Victories against Asec Mimosas (Abidjan, February 23-24) and Jwaneng Galaxy (Dar es Salaam, March 1-2) will guarantee their progress.

Despite a slow start where Wydad held the upper hand, Simba found their groove in the second half, creating numerous scoring opportunities.

Ayoub Lakred, the Simba custodian, was also in superb form, denying Wydad on several occasions.

Head coach Abdelhak Benchikha lauded his players for their fighting spirit and resilience against a formidable opponent.

"My players deserve immense credit for their determination and effort. We played with purpose and achieved our goals," he exclaimed.

The remaining battles in Group B promise to be a nail-biting affair, with every point crucial in the quest for continental glory.