DISTRESSINGLY for avid Young Africans aficionados, they are at times fraught campaign in Group A of the CAF Champions League’s group stage has disappointingly ended with the Tanzanian powerhouses being mercilessly booted out of the immensely respected football competition.

Needing a victory against Algerian contenders MC Alger last Saturday at the state-of-the-art Benjamin Mkapa Stadium here in Dar es Salaam to make certain of a berth in the last eight, Young Africans agonizingly fell short of achieving their goal, and instead were forced to share the spoils in a goalless draw.

Sadly, that nil-nil stalemate meant that Young Africans finished Group A in third place, one point behind MC Alger, who ended the same group in second place with nine points.

 Consequently, Group A leaders, the Sudanese titans Al Hilal, progressed to the CAF Champions League quarterfinals alongside Algerian side MC Alger, as only two clubs are allowed to advance to the knockout stage from each group in the perpetually drama-filled competition.

Understandably, literally all Young Africans supporters are gutted over their team’s failure to meet their high expectations in the CAF Champions League this season.

That being said, it is crucial to note that the Jangwani Street-based football outfit were not disgraced and they can even justifiably hold their heads up high after being denied a quarterfinal spot by a minute one point.

While Young Africans were left to rue their upsetting fate, Simba on the other hand are on cloud nine following their sterling campaign in the group phase of the CAF Confederations Cup.

Indeed, despite having already sealed their spot in the CAF Confederations Cup’s knockout round prior to their last Group A face-off against the Algerian club CS Constantine at the renowned Benjamin Mkapa Stadium last Sunday, Simba admirably earned a convincing 2-nil triumph against their Algerian opponents.

By virtue of that impressive win, Simba outstandingly advanced to the quarterfinals in fine style as Group A’s leaders.

Naturally, as Simba march on to the knockout round of this season’s CAF Confederations Cup, all Tanzanians will be dearly hoping that the Tanzanian juggernauts can maintain their winning ways in the scintillating continental football competition.

Let us now focus our attention on international tennis where the Australian Open is now in full swing in both the men’s and women’s categories.

Sadly, all African tennis devotees must be in low spirits at the moment following the unfortunate elimination of the female Tunisian star Ons Jabeur from the year’s first grand slam in the third round lately.

For those still in the dark, the grand slams are the most treasured tennis tournaments in the world and they are four in number: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.

Returning to Ons Jabeur’s dismaying ouster from the Australian Open, the Tunisian will likely feel down in the dumps after finishing her 2024 season in August due to a persistent injury.

It is hoped then that Ons Jabeur will rapidly bounce back, which would indisputably gladden the hearts of all passionate African tennis fans.