Tanzanian champions Simba SC started their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Campaign in the best possible way after thrashing Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas 3-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
Goals from Pape Sakho, Shomari Kapombe and Peter Banda handed Wekundu Wa Msimbazi the healthy victory with ASEC’s consolation scored by Stephane Aziz Ki.
Sakho opened the scoring for the home side in the 12th minute when he finished off superbly from a Kapombe cross on the right with a brilliant acrobatic strike.
Simba were added confidence by the goal and attacked more, but were clumsy infront of goal and didn’t make most of the opportunities they got.
Simba were made to pay for the missed chances in the second half by the Ivorians when Aziz Ki made the most of a defensive mix up to level matters for the visitors on the hour mark.
But, the home side was awakened by the equalizer and pushed by the home crowd, put in more in attack. They were handed a way back into the match in the 79th minute from the penalty spot, Kapombe expertly tucking away the spot kick.
The cemented the win two minutes later when Malawian international Banda finished off a cross from skipper John Bocco.
Elsewhere, TP Mazembe took a precious 1-0 win at home against AS Otoho d’Oyo to kick start their Group C campaign on a high.
Richard Njoh scored the lone goal for Mazembe in the 37th minute, a lead which they guarded till the final whistle.
In Garoua, home side Cotonsport played to a barren draw with Egyptian side Al Masry. The Cameroonian side will only have themselves to blame for failing to use their chances despite attacking more.
Source: CAF