AHMED Ally has confirmed that Simba SC have shifted their full focus to domestic competitions following their official exit from the CAF Champions League, stressing that the team is determined to finish the season strongly despite continental disappointment.

AHMED Ally has confirmed that Simba SC have shifted their full focus to domestic competitions following their official exit from the CAF Champions League, stressing that the team is determined to finish the season strongly despite continental disappointment.

Speaking immediately after Simba’s 1-1 draw against Angola’s Petro Atlético in their fifth Group D match, the club’s media and communications officer said the team was expected to return to Dar es Salaam in the early hours of Monday morning and headed straight into camp to begin preparations for upcoming local assignments.

“The team was expected to arrive in Dar es Salaam early Monday morning and went directly into camp. There is no time to rest because our focus now is on domestic competitions,” Ally said. “According to our programme, we return to action on Wednesday night when we face KMC in a Premier League match on April 11.”

Simba were held to a 1-1 draw by Petro Atlético on Saturday at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, Angola. The result marked Simba’s fifth match in Group D of the CAF Champions League and confirmed their elimination from the competition, with the Tanzanian giants remaining bottom of the group on two points.

Ally acknowledged the disappointment of failing to reach the quarter finals but insisted the campaign had delivered important lessons and visible progress within the squad. He praised the players for their unity and gradual improvement, noting that these positives would be crucial as the team turns its attention back to the Premier League.

“It is important to recognise the improvement within our squad,” he added. “There have been positive changes in terms of performance, attitude and cohesion. These are encouraging signs and they give us confidence as we return to domestic football.”

He also appealed to Simba supporters and stakeholders to continue backing the team during what he described as a critical phase of the season.

“We ask our fans to remain united with the players,” Ally said. “Yes, we did not reach the quarter finals, but the journey does not end here. We are still one family, and together we will fight for success in the Premier League and the CAF Confederation Cup.”

On the pitch in Luanda, Petro Atlético started the match with greater urgency, knowing they needed a win to boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage. Their early intent paid off in the 13th minute when Pedro Pinto opened the scoring after connecting with a pass from Benny Dias, sending the home crowd into celebration.

Simba’s situation worsened five minutes before the break when defender and captain Shomari Kapombe was shown a second yellow card, followed by a red, leaving the visitors to play the entire second half with ten men. The dismissal forced head coach Steve Barker to rethink his approach as Petro pressed for a second goal.

At the start of the second half, Barker made a tactical change by withdrawing midfielder Morrice Abraham and introducing defender David Kameta ‘Duchu’ to reinforce the backline. The move was aimed at stabilising the defence as Petro continued to push forward in search of a decisive goal.

In the 51st minute, Barker made further changes, taking off Kibu Denis and bringing on Seleman Mwalimu, Inno Loemba and Anicet Oura in an attempt to inject fresh energy and attacking threat despite the numerical disadvantage.

The substitutions proved inspired. Simba gradually grew into the game and began to threaten on the counterattack. In the 79th minute, Antony Mligo made way for Naby Camara as Simba looked to capitalise on their momentum.

Two minutes later, the visitors struck. Oura picked up the ball in midfield and released Seleman Mwalimu down the right flank. Mwalimu delivered a well weighted cross into the box, which Oura met with a composed finish to level the score in the 81st minute.

The equaliser sparked celebrations among Simba players and the technical bench, led by Barker and his assistant Seleman Matola, as the Tanzanian side showed resilience and character despite their elimination.

Petro Atlético responded by making several substitutions in the second half, withdrawing Antonio Hossi, Jonathan Toro, Tiago Reis, Costinha and Augusto Ilidio, and introducing Anderson Cruz, Maya, Joaquim Paciencia, Vanilson and Julinho in a bid to reclaim the lead. However, Simba held firm to secure the draw.

The result leaves Petro Atlético third in Group D with six points, while Simba remain bottom on two points. Simba will conclude their Champions League campaign next weekend when they host Stade Malien at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, while Petro Atlético travel to Tunisia to face Esperance.

With continental hopes over, Simba now face a crucial period domestically, starting with Wednesday’s league clash against KMC, as they seek to restore morale and keep their title ambitions alive in the Premier League.