Simba seal semi-final berth after penalty triumph over Al Masry
Published: Wednesday, 09 April 2025
Tanzanian giants Simba SC overcame a two-goal first-leg deficit to knock Egypt's Al Masry out of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup in dramatic fashion, winning 4-1 on penalties after a 2-0 win in regulation time in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
Goals in the first half from Elie Mpanzu and Steven Mukwala gave Simba the cushion they needed to level the tie on aggregate, following their defeat by the same scoreline in the first leg in Suez.
The shootout saw the home side dispatch four well-taken penalties, while Al Masry missed two of their three attempts. Simba storm back to level the tie
Backed by a vocal crowd at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Simba wasted no time asserting dominance. Mpanzu opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, finishing off a solo run with a precise shot past Mahmoud Gad in the Al Masry goal.
Just ten minutes later, Mukwala doubled the lead with a powerful header that left the goalkeeper stranded.
The first half was marred by stoppages, including an injury to Al Masry's Beninese defender Samadou, who was later substituted. Despite their efforts to respond, the Egyptians struggled to gain a foothold in the match. VAR drama and missed chances
Al Masry looked brighter in the second half after introducing Mido Gaber and Mohamed Hashem. A controversial moment arose when Simba were awarded a penalty, only for the decision to be overturned after a VAR check.
Mahmoud Gad redeemed himself with several crucial saves, denying Simba from extending their lead in open play. However, he couldn't repeat those heroics during the penalty shootout. Penalty heartbreak for the Egyptians
In the shootout, Simba were flawless. Jean Ahoua, Mukwala, Kibu Dennis, and Shomari Kapombe all converted their penalties with clinical precision.
Al Masry, on the other hand, faltered under pressure. Fakhreddine Ben Youssef was the only scorer, while both Mido Gaber and Mahmoud Hamada failed to convert, sealing their side's elimination.
The result ends Al Masry's hopes of returning to the Confederation Cup semi-finals, a stage they last reached in 2018.
For Simba, it marks a major milestone as they head into the semi-finals, awaiting the winner between Zamalek and Stellenbosch.
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