‘Downs win in Lubumbashi, Simba held by Merrikh

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Mar 06, 2021. 17:17

Saturday afternoon’s action in the CAF Champions League saw Mamelodi Sundowns take a major step toward the quarterfinals, while Simba SC consolidated their place at the top of Group A.

The South African heavyweights were 2-1 winners away to DR Congo’s TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi in their Group B clash, a result which sees ‘Downs with a full haul of nine points – seven clear of Mazembe, Al Hilal and CR Belouizdad, who are all level on two points.

The Brazilians handed the Ravens a first home defeat in CAF competition for more than a decade thanks to goals from Peter Shalulile and Lyle Lakay – the latter a beauty of a strike direct from a free kick in the final minute of regulation time.

In Group A, Tanzania’s Simba SC recorded a 0-0 draw away to Al Merrikh in Omdurman. The clash at the Al Hilal Stadium saw the Tanzanian visitors endure a frustrating day as they struggled to break down the Sudanese hosts, who claimed a first point in the pool but remained bottom of the log. Simba, meanwhile, are top with seven points – four clear of Al Ahly and AS Vita, who meet in Cairo on Saturday night.

The CAFCL action continues on Saturday evening and into the night with Teungueth v MC Alger, Kaizer Chiefs v Petro de Luanda, Esperance de Tunis v Zamalek, Al Ahly v AS Vita and Wydad Casablanca v Horoya AC.

CAF Champions League results, Saturday afternoon, 6 March

Al Merrikh 0-0 Simba SC

TP Mazembe 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns