Dar es Salaam — Tanzanian powerhouses Simba SC have marched into the CAF Champions League group stage after holding Nsingizini Hotspurs to a goalless draw at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, completing a 3–0 aggregate victory to book their place among Africa’s elite.
It was a tense affair in Dar es Salaam as the visitors came out stronger than expected, forcing Simba to dig deep to protect their first-leg advantage.
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Hotspurs striker Sizo Khumalo kept Simba’s backline busy throughout the encounter, while goalkeeper Yakoub Seleman had to make a series of smart saves to deny the Eswatini side a breakthrough.
Star forward Kibu Denis, who netted twice in the first leg, came close on several occasions but was frustrated by the brilliance of Nsingizini’s shot-stopper Lamine Sibosiso, who produced a string of fine saves to keep the scoreline level.
Head coach Abdelhak Benchikha brought on Jonathan Sowah in search of more firepower in the second half, but the tactical change failed to yield goals as the home side settled for a draw — a result still good enough to send them through.
The qualification marks Simba’s seventh consecutive appearance in the CAF Champions League group stage — a feat unmatched in Tanzanian football history. Even more remarkably, the Reds of Msimbazi achieved it without a single home victory, underlining their efficiency on the road.
Simba opened their campaign with a 1–0 away win over Gaborone United before drawing 1–1 in Dar es Salaam. Against Nsingizini, they thrashed their opponents 3–0 away before Sunday’s 0–0 stalemate sealed their progress.
With Simba SC joining arch-rivals Young Africans (Yanga) in the group stage, Tanzania celebrates a proud moment — two of its biggest clubs shining brightly on Africa’s grandest stage.
