Robertinho proud of Simba SC despite elimination

01May 2023
Michael Mwebe
Sport
The Guardian
Robertinho proud of Simba SC despite elimination

​​​​​​​SIMBA SC head coach Robert Oliveira 'Robertinho' believes they can walk with their heads held high despite the team's elimination from the 2022/23 CAF Champions League.

Tanzania's Simba SC midfielder, Saidi Ntibazonkiza (2nd L), dribbles past Morocco's Wydad Athletic Club defender, Houcine Benayada (L), and midfielder Yahya Jabrane when the clubs faced each other in a 2022/23 CAF Champions League last-eight rematch at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca last Friday. Wydad Athletic Club commanded a 4-3 win in the penalty shootout. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SIMBA SC

The Tanzanian representative lost 4-3 to Morocco's Wydad Athletic Club at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on post-match penalties to bow out of the CAF Champions League at the quarterfinal stage on Friday night.

The game had to be decided from 12 yards out after Wydad Athletic Club, also CAF Champions League defending champions, won the return fixture 1-0 in Casablanca to tie the aggregate score at 1-1.

Senegalese forward Bouly Sambou's goal for Wydad Athletic Club, which is his seventh goal of the campaign, ensured the game went into penalties.

The striker, who missed the first leg in Dar es Salaam due to a yellow card suspension, headed home in the 24th minute after Simba SC right-back Shomari Kapombe's awkward clearance of Wydad Athletic Club's Yahya Attiat Allah's cross fell kindly into the attacker's path.

Despite Wydad Athletic Club enjoying a lion's share of the possession, Simba SC kept its defensive shape and allowed the Moroccans to keep the ball, but they never created much danger, the game being forced to roll into penalties.

Wydad Athletic Club's second-choice goalkeeper Youssef El Motie saved Shomari Kapombe and Clatous Chama's penalties to put to an end Simba SC’s CAF 2022/23 Champions League campaign.

Erasto Nyoni, Saidi Ntibazonkiza, and Moses Phiri scored spot kicks for Simba SC, popularly known as Wekundu wa Msimbazi.

Wydad Athletic Club's players did not miss any of their efforts as they expertly slotted home four spot kicks and did not need to go into the fifth after Chama’s miss.

Wydad Athletic Club captain Yahya Jebrane, Ayoub El Amloud, Amine Abdoulfath, and Abdellah Haimoud all tucked home their efforts past Simba SC's third-choice goalkeeper Ally Salim.

Speaking after Simba SC arrived in Dar es Salaam on Sunday morning, Robertinho congratulated his players for the courage and spirit they showed in battling Wydad Athletic Club in both legs, adding there is little one could do when it comes to the lotteries of penalties shootout.

The tactician pointed out: It was a difficult game. Our objective was to qualify and win. We played well, the players gave their maximum on the pitch."

"Penalties are penalties, you can't make quick decisions but I'm happy about the performance of the team, the pace," Robertinho stated.

"I think Simba SC showed everyone our capacity, many more people in different countries now know who Simba SC are.

I am very happy about our personality with ball possession, and compactness. Penalties are part of football but we cannot talk about them. Congratulations to everyone, fans, players, and management of the team,” the Brazilian revealed.

Simba SC will now have to put behind the disappointments and quickly embark on preparation for a crucial and tough Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC) semi-final game against Azam FC slated to take place at Nangwanda Sijaona Stadium in Mtwara on Saturday.

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