by
Graeme Jackson
Tuesday Feb 12, 2019. 17:30
Simba beat Al Ahly 1-0 in the CAF Champions League Group D match at the National Stadium in Tanzania on Tuesday.
The result saw the Tanzanian giants climb up to second place on the group standings, while Egypt's Al Ahly remained at the top of the table.
Nicknamed Wekundu wa Msimbazi, Simba searched for an early goal which would have unsettled the Red Devils' defence.
However, the Al Ahly backline, which was marshalled by Tunisia international Ali Maaloul, was able to contain Simba.
The visitors grew in confidence as the match progressed and they nearly scored nine minutes before the half-hour mark.
Al Ahly attacking midfielder Hussein El-Shahat hit the side-netting after the Wekundu wa Msimbazi defence was exposed.
Both teams continued to launch attacks with the half-time break approaching, but they could not score.
The two teams were locked at 0-0 at the interval.
Simba took control of the match after the restart and they managed to seriously test Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
The Egypt international produced a brilliant save to deny John Bocco from close range in the 50th minute.
However, El Shenawy was beaten three minutes after the hour-mark by Meddie Kagare to make it 1-0 to Simba after the Al Ahly defence was exposed.
Al Ahly coach Martin Lasarte reacted by introducing an attacker Nasser Maher with 20 minutes left on the clock.
The visitors launched late attacks as they looked to grab an equalising goal, but Simba then stood firm at the back.
Ultimately, Simba ran out 1-0 winners over Al Ahly as they avenged the 5-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of the eight-time Champions League winners earlier this month.
Simba (0) 1 (Kagere 63')
Al Ahly 0
Simba: Manula, Wawa, Jjuko, Coulibaly, Kwasi (Hussein 40'), Mkude, Kotei (Yassin 90'+3), Chama, Okwo, Bocco (Dilunga 83'), Kagere.
Al Ahly: El Shenawy, Hany, Ashraf, Ibrahim, Maaloul, Sulaya, El Shahat, Sobhi, Nedved (Salah Mohsen 84'), Fathi (Maher 70'), Ajayi.
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