Simba among four African clubs yet to register a point
Simba head coach Steve Barker during a recent training session. The coaches face a tough task as Simba are yet to record a win or draw in the ongoing CAF Champions League group stage. PHOTO | COURTESY
Despite Simba’s poor start, qualification hopes are not entirely extinguished
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s football giants Simba SC have joined an unwanted list of clubs yet to earn a single point in this season’s African inter-club competitions as the group stages enter a decisive fourth round starting on Friday.
Simba, who are competing in the Caf Champions League, are among four teams across the continent still searching for their first point after three rounds of group matches.
The others are Mali’s Djoliba AC, Kenya’s Nairobi United and Zambian powerhouse Zesco FC, all featuring in the Caf Confederation Cup. For Simba, the situation is particularly concerning given their pedigree and ambitions on the continental stage.
After three matches in the Champions’ League group stage, the Msimbazi Street giants remain rooted at the bottom of their group, having failed to register a draw or victory.
Their struggles reflect broader challenges faced by several established clubs this season as competition intensity continues to rise.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Djoliba AC have endured a torrid campaign in Group A, losing all three of their opening fixtures. Nairobi United have suffered a similar fate in Group B, where defeats in their first three matches have left them pointless and facing early elimination.
Zesco FC, traditionally one of Southern Africa’s strongest sides in continental football, have also surprised many by collecting zero points from three Group D matches. Despite Simba’s poor start, qualification hopes are not entirely extinguished.
Mathematically, the Tanzanian champions can still reach the knockout stage if they win all their remaining group matches while significantly improving their goal difference to compensate for earlier heavy defeats.
However, such a scenario would demand near-perfect performances and favourable results elsewhere, a tall order by any measure.
In contrast, Tanzania’s other representatives in Africa have shown signs of resilience.
Azam FC, competing in the CAF Confederation Cup Group B, are currently placed third with three points. Their campaign was reignited by a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over Nairobi United, a result that keeps them firmly in contention for a knockout berth with three matches still to play.
Singida Black Stars have arguably delivered the most encouraging performances among Tanzanian clubs in continental action. The debutants sit third in their Confederation Cup group with four points, following a 1-0 home victory over Otoho d’Oyo of Congo Brazzaville and a creditable 1-1 draw away to South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC.
Their disciplined approach has earned respect and kept qualification hopes alive. Simba’s traditional rivals Young Africans SC (Yanga) are also walking a tightrope in the CAF Champions League.
Placed second in Group B with four points, Yanga know that victory in the remaining fixtures is crucial if they are to reach the knockout stage for the first time in the club’s history. Any slip could prove costly in a tightly contested group.
