By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Simba SC and Esperance Sportive de Tunis played out a thrilling 2–2 draw in a crucial CAF Champions League Group D match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The result leaves both sides in a tight battle for qualification from the group.
The hosts opened the scoring midway through the first half, with Shomari Kapombe putting Simba SC ahead with a well-crafted finish in the 39th minute, before Yusuph Kagoma doubled the lead just before halftime, sending the home fans into euphoria.
However, Esperance de Tunis mounted a strong comeback after the break. Abou Bakar Diakité reduced the deficit in the 64th minute, and then Kouceila Boualia leveled the score in the 79th minute, ensuring the Tunisian champions left Tanzania with a hard-earned point.
The draw gives both teams a valuable point in Group D, although the standings remain wide open with qualification hopes still alive for multiple sides:
Esperance de Tunis now climb to 6 points, boosting their chances of reaching the knockout stages.
Simba SC secure their first point of the campaign, crucial for their survival hopes in the group.
Prior to this fixture, Esperance had secured a narrow 1–0 win away in Radès in the first leg of the group meeting, with Jack Diarra scoring the decisive goal for the Tunisian side.
Simba SC entered the match still searching for their first victory in the CAF Champions League group stage, while Esperance have now picked up points in consecutive matchdays, strengthening their position in the group.
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