Tanzanian giants Simba SC took a slim advantage in the first leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup semi-final, defeating debutants Stellenbosch FC 1-0 in a tightly-contested encounter in Zanzibar on Sunday.
Ugandan Cranes International, Steven Mukwala started the match after his heroics in the previous round where he netted two goals in a decesive confrontation against Egypt’s Al Masary.
The match was played at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar due to the unavailability of Benjamin Mkapa that is currently undergoing renovation works in the capital.
Jean Charles Achoua scored the lone goal that separated the affair, the 23-year-old Ivorian with an expertly taken free-kick proved enough ahead of next week’s trip to Durban in South Africa.
Simba created chances throughout, though Stellenbosch goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluk stood tall in the posts with multiple saves, limiting the score to only a narrow 1-0 advantage.
In other semi-final clash, two-time Champions and Morocco’s RS Berkane put one foot in the finals, following a resounding 4-0 victory over Algerian opposition CS Constantine.
