CRDB Federation Cup: Reserve heavy Simba SC edge second tier side

Leonel Ateba in action for Simba against Bigman FC on Thursday. Photo Credit: Simba SC Tanzania

Despite the absence of several stars due to the March FIFA window, Simba SC advanced in Tanzania's CRDB Federation Cup on Thursday with a 2-1 result over second tier side Bigman FC.

Fortunately, while Simba missed their Tanzanian stars like fullbacks Shomari Kapombe and Mohamed Hussein, foreign stars like Leonel Ateba were available to carry the Dar es Salaam giants. Another foreign player, Zambian Joshua Mutale, opened the scoring for Simba in the 17th minute with an easy finish from a low cross.

The second goal for Simba was all the work of Cameroonian forward Ateba. His accurate pass over the top of the Bigman defense in the 30th minute found the run of Congolese attacker Elie Mpanzu who was taken down for a penalty kick. Ateba calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to double Simba's advantage.

NBC Championship side Bigman did pull a goal back just before halftime but the second division side could not mount a comeback in the second half. Simba are now through to the quarterfinals and will turn their attention to continental ambitions when the Reds face Egyptian club Al Masry in the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup. The first leg will take place in Egypt on April 2.