This is how it can be described for Simba SC following the outcome of their fourth-round CAF Champions League match against Esperance, where they were held to a 2–2 draw at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
First-half goals from Shomari Kapombe and Yusuph Kagoma reignited hopes for the Msimbazi Reds to secure victory in the match and possibly keep their quarterfinal ambitions alive.
However, the second half saw a shift in momentum as Esperance returned much stronger, equalizing both goals. They even missed a penalty in the dying minutes of the match, which could have seen them walk away with all three points.
It is now clear that this result has virtually ended Simba’s hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals. Even if Simba were to win their remaining two matches, they could only reach a maximum of seven points, while Esperance already have six points and Stade Malien top Group D with eight points.
Only a miracle would see Esperance fail to collect at least one point from their remaining two matches, a scenario that would be required to give Simba any chance of qualification.
Head coach Steve Barker has made a promising start to his tenure, but attention must now shift back to the training ground to build a more competitive squad and ensure Simba perform strongly in the domestic league.
Simba continue to struggle with players “running out of steam,” especially in the second half, and the fitness coach has a major task in helping Barker improve the squad’s physical conditioning.
Today may be a very painful day for Simba supporters, but sometimes reality must be accepted—the calculations were already complicated after losing the first three matches of the group stage.
