CAF CL: Simba Edge Defending Champions Wydad In First Leg Quarter-Final

Tanzania’s Simba SC will leave for Casablanca with a slight advantage after the Reds defeated reigning champions Wydad AC 1-0 in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal duel on Saturday in Dar es Salaam. Congolese striker Jean Baleke struck soon after the half hour mark to give his team the edge in rainy Tanzania with no away goals conceded to the Moroccan giants. The two teams will meet again next Friday where Wydad will attempt to overturn the deficit and avoid elimination from the competition.

The rainy and humid conditions appeared to favor Simba who pushed forward and attempted to keep Wydad on their heels. Burundian playmaker Saidi Ntibazonkiza fired a shot just over the crossbar inside ten minutes to threaten the goal of Wydad goalkeeper Youssef El Motie, who was tested regularly on Saturday as he deputized for injured regular Ahmed Reda Tagnouti.

It was Ntibazonkiza’s 31st minute free kick that led to the only goal of the match. A shot attempt from distance was blocked by a Wydad defender but the ball fell to Dennis Kibu ten yards out from goal. Kibu’s low shot attempt went across the six-yard box where Baleke was waiting to deflect past El Motie, sending the packed Benjamin Mkapa Stadium into celebration. Simba midfielder Sadio Kanouté nearly doubled the lead a minute later when the Malian’s low shot went just wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Wydad continued to struggle after halftime but the hosts failed to extend their lead despite some good opportunities. Simba attacker Clatous Chama fired just off target only twenty seconds into the second half and Kibu curled a well struck shot wide in the 70th minute. Good defending from Wydad kept the deficit at one goal, setting up an intriguing second leg where Simba will attempt to earn the result they need against the favorites and reigning African champions in front of their passionate home support.