David GOMBE
Tanzanian Giants Simba SC completed a double over Vipers SC in the CAF Champions league group C at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar Es Salaam on Tuesday evening.
Clatous Chama scored the all important goal for Simba at the stroke of halftime.
Simba under the stewardship of former Vipers tactician Roberto Oliveira alias Robertinho are now second in the group following their two victories over Vipers.
This was the third defeat for Vipers who are playing in the group stages of the competition for the first time in their history.
The Venoms have now gone 7 games across all competitions without scoring (630 minutes, all in 2023).
Simba could have scored more but the Venoms custodian Alfred Mudekereza put up a man of the match performance.
The Uganda Premier league champions also created a couple of chances.
Winger Abdu Lumala forced Simba goalkeeper Aisha Manula into a save in the first period.
Second half substitute Abubaker Lawal came close to levelling matters in the 89th minute but his back heel effort was easily saved by the hosts keeper Manula.
Simba held on to maximum points and are currently second in the group led by Morocco Giants Raja Casablanca who are on 12 points.
Vipers stay bottom in the group with just a single point. They will next host Raja Casablanca on March 18th before their trip to Guinea’s Horoya AC on March 31st.
Before their next CAF Champions league game, the Vipers will first face off with Wakiso Giants on 14th March in the last 16 of the Stanbic Uganda Cup at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium in Wakiso.
