SIMBA SC wrapped up their CAF Champions League Group D campaign on a positive note after edging Stade Malien 1-0 in their final group match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.

Although the victory was not enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals, it marked Simba’s first home win of the group stage and allowed the Msimbazi Reds to bow out of the competition with pride in front of their passionate supporters.

Head coach Steve Barker (pictured) credited the team’s collective hunger for a winning finish as the driving force behind the result.

“Our motivation was crystal clear: we refused to finish this group stage without a win,” Barker said after the match. “Simba is a giant of African football, and it would have been a disservice to the club’s reputation to end the campaign without a victory.”

Simba made a blistering start, asserting control from the opening whistle. Their early pressure paid off almost immediately when attacking midfielder Anicet Oura found the back of the net just two minutes into the match. The early strike proved decisive in a hard-fought encounter.

The goal energized both the players and the crowd, with Simba dominating possession and creating several promising chances. Seleman Mwalimu ‘Gomez’ and Elie Mpanzu both came close to extending the lead, but the hosts were unable to add a second goal.

In the second half, Stade Malien grew into the contest as they sought to consolidate their position at the top of the group. The visitors increased the tempo and began carving out chances of their own.

In the 64th minute, Barker introduced Morice Abraham and Inno Loemba in place of Elie Mpanzu and Alassane Cante to inject fresh energy into the side. Just a minute later, Stade Malien nearly equalised when striker Taddeus Nkeng unleashed a powerful effort, but goalkeeper Djibrilla Kasali produced a crucial save to preserve Simba’s lead. 

The clean sheet marked Kasali’s first in the CAF Champions League since joining the club.

Despite late pressure, Simba held firm to secure all three points and finish the group stage with five points from six matches.

Stade Malien topped Group D with 11 points, while Espérance Sportive de Tunis finished second with nine points after defeating Petro Atlético, who ended third with six points.

Stade Malien and Espérance advanced to the quarter-finals, joining other continental heavyweights including Al Ahly SC, Al Hilal Omdurman, Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC from other groups.

Barker acknowledged that while the team fell short of their initial objective of reaching the knockout stages, there were clear signs of progress.

“While our goal was to qualify for the quarter-finals, I am proud of the growth I’ve seen since my arrival. To take points away at Petro de Luanda and hold Esperance shows the progression these players have made,” he said.

He, however, pointed out the need for greater consistency.

“In both home matches against Esperance and Stade Malien, we started very well in the first half but seemed to lose a bit of confidence and control in the second half. Perhaps that is due to anxiety or stress. We must learn to maintain our level for the full 90 minutes.”

Simba’s first point in the group stage came in a 1-1 draw against Petro Atlético at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, Angola - a result that ultimately confirmed their elimination.

This marks only the second time in Simba’s history that the club has failed to progress beyond the group stage of the CAF Champions League, the first being in 2003 during their debut in the competition’s modern format after eliminating Zamalek but finishing third in a group that included Enyimba and ASEC Mimosas.

The 2025/26 campaign therefore ends a run of four consecutive quarter-final appearances for the Tanzanian giants, signaling a transitional phase as Barker continues rebuilding the squad.

For now, the focus shifts to domestic competitions, where Simba remain strong contenders. Barker called on supporters to continue backing the team.

“We appreciate the fans who came to support us. Their presence means a lot to the players. There is still a lot of work ahead, but we are building something strong,” he said.

While their journey in Africa’s premier club competition ends for this season, Simba’s final home performance offered a glimpse of promise and a foundation for a stronger continental return.