CAFCC: Simba display not good enough in Stellenbosch win – Davids

Photo Credit - Simba SC Tanzania.

Simba SC coach Fadlu Davids admitted that he was not satisfied with the performance of his players’ despite securing a 1-0 first leg advantage in their CAF Confederation Cup fixture against Stellenbosch at Amaan Complex in Zanzibar on Sunday.

A first-half stoppage-time goal from Jean Charles Ahoua’s 30-yard low free kick earned the Mzimbazi Reds the semi-final win. However, the goal had to be decided by VAR after a brief check, giving Simba the edge heading into the second leg, set for April 27 in South Africa.

“I think the game was like we exactly expected, they started with long balls, long throw ins, and long throwing, corner kicks, set-pieces and transitions were their main threats, but the main threat were the long throw ins, and in the first half they stopped the ball and started long balls into the box, and then anything could happen with the weather conditions,” Davids told Pan-Africa Football.

“But our objective is done in terms of keeping a clean sheet, but you know, we are a big club, Simba Sports Club is a big club, and we cannot be happy with a scoreline like these especially when you really have moments to make it two, to make it three, even to make it four zero.

“And this way, the players have to get to realise the stage we are in, we are in the semi-final stage, and in the semi-final stage, you don’t get big opportunities like we had this season, in this competition and especially in this match.

“So, clearly we have to improve this performance, it was definitely not good enough in terms of what the players can do and we really expect and I know believe me, my players will be ready for the return leg once we get to South Africa.”

Substitute Leonel Ateba should have added the second for Simba after his powerful shot was saved by the Stellies custodian in the 90+3 minute, and Ahoua, after rounding the goalkeeper, missed an open net chance in the 90+5 minute.

This was the first time Simba was playing in the semis of the inter-club competition after eliminating Al Masry of Egypt on penalties in the quarter-finals while Stellenbosch reached the stage following a 1-0 aggregate scoreline against Zamalek of Egypt.