Stellenbosch FC have work to do to seal a place in the final of the CAF Confederation Cup following a 1-0 loss to Fadlu Davids‘ Simba SC in Zanzibar on Sunday.
Stellies were looking for the vital away goal at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Sunday but could not find and it is the hosts who secured first leg advantage in the semi-final match, leaving Steve Barker’s men needing to score two goals without reply to make it to the final.
There were few chances either side in the opening exchanges although Shomari Kampombe had an opportunity for Simba via a bicycle kick in the 17th minute, which he missed, before also failing to find the target four minutes later.
How did Simba win it?
Stellies had their chance six minutes later when Andre de Jong’s flick found Devin Titus following a throw-in from Fawaaz Basadien but his header was punched out by the Simba goalkeeper.
Jean Ahoua came close to giving Simba the lead through a well-taken freekick in the 39th minute but Oscarine Masuluke was equal to the task in the Stellies goal.
However, there was no denying Ahoua on the stroke of halftime when he slotted in a low shot from a freekick and the ball evaded everyone before going in.
There were shouts for offside from Stellenbosch players but a VAR check confirmed that the goal was legit.
What must Stellenbosch do?
A second half without goals then ensued but Ahoua had a glorious opportunity to give Simba a two-goal lead in the 90th minute when he rounded Masuluke but somehow missed the target from an open goal.
Victory nonetheless gives Davids’ men something to protect in the second leg in South Africa on Sunday April 27 as they look to make it to the Confederation Cup final for the first time in their illustrious history.
Simba just need a draw of any kind to go through while Stellenbosch must score at least twice, and ensure they do not concede, to claim a place in the final, also for the first time in their history.
