A FIRST-HALF stoppage-time goal from Jean Charles Ahoua’s 30-yard low free kick earned Simba SC a crucial 1-0 win over South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final clash held at Amaan Complex in Zanzibar yesterday.

After a brief VAR review for a potential offside, Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala confirmed the goal, giving Simba the edge heading into the second leg, which will take place on April 27 in South Africa.

Both sides began cautiously, prioritizing defensive solidity in this pivotal stage of the competition.

Simba’s first real threat came in the 17th minute when full-back Shomari Kapombe’s acrobatic effort sailed over the bar following a cross from Kibu Denis. 

Kapombe was in the thick of it again in the 21st minute, but his rebound shot missed the target after Stellenbosch defenders cleared a corner delivered by Ahoua.

Simba goalkeeper Moussa Camara was tested in the 27th minute, punching away a powerful header from De Jong after a long throw-in by Stellenbosch captain Fawaaz Basadien.

The home side kept pressing, and in the 30th minute, Stellenbosch keeper Oscarine Masuluke denied a long-range effort from Elie Mpanzu. 

Masuluke was again called into action in the 38th minute, parrying Ahoua’s curling free kick after Kibu was fouled outside the area.

Simba missed a golden opportunity in the 43rd minute when Kapombe's shot flew over the bar following a smart pass from Ahoua.

The breakthrough came in the third minute of first-half added time (45+3), when Kibu Denis was fouled, setting the stage for Ahoua to fire in a low free kick that eluded everyone and beat Masuluke to the bottom corner.

Stellenbosch emerged stronger in the second half in search of a valuable away goal, but Camara produced a fine save from De Jong in the 48th minute. 

Ahoua had a chance to double the lead a minute later but couldn’t connect with a header from Kapombe’s delivery.

In the dying moments, substitute Leonel Ateba’s powerful shot was saved by Masuluke in the 90+3 minute, and Ahoua, after rounding the goalkeeper, missed an open net chance in the 90+5 minute.

The victory boosts Simba’s hopes of reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final for the first time in their history, with the return leg set for Sunday, April 27.

This semi-final appearance marks Simba’s first in a CAF competition in 32 years, underlining the magnitude of their achievement.

Simba SC Starting XI:
Moussa Camara, Mohamed Hussein, Shomari Kapombe, Chamou Karaboue, Abdulrazack Hamza, Fabrice Ngoma, Yusuph Kagoma, Kibu Denis, Jean Charles Ahoua, Steven Mukwala, Elie Mpanzu

Stellenbosch FC starting line-up:

Masuluke, Toure, Moloisane, Basadien, Enyinnaya, Nduli, Khiba, Jabaar, de Jong, Titus, Nku