By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIAN Champions Power Dynamos have been eliminated form the CAF Champions League after a 3-3 aggregate stalemate against Tanzanian champions Simba Sports Club who were fortunate to march on to the group stage thanks to an away goal rule.
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Meanwhile, a consecutive defeat to Congo Brazzaville giants Diables Noirs eliminated FC Muza from the CAF Confederations Cup.
Simba, who had to come from behind twice in the 2-2 stalemate two weeks ago in Ndola, had to come from behind again to hold Power Dynamos to a 1-1 draw in the home match played at a fully packed Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salam.
Power were unlucky as midfielder Dickson Makwaza scored an own goal to cancel Andy Boyeli’s goal which had given Power an early lead.
Power needed nothing but a win to reach the Group Stage and their dream appeared to be turning into reality when Boyeli put the Kitwe giants ahead 16 minutes into the first half.
Before the opener, Power almost broke the deadlock just eight minutes after kick off through Austin Muwowo who was unlucky to send his effort wide.
With over 10, 000 fans behind them at a fully packed Azam Sports complex, Simba first came close to finding the back of the net eight minutes before the half hour mark when striker Jean Baleke created enough space to pull the trigger but couldn’t beat goal keeper Willard Mwanza who produced a fine save to deny the home team.
Simba continued to put Power under pressure and came close five minutes after the half hour mark when Shomari Kapombe found Cletus Chama who squared the ball to Baleke who forced another sumptuous save from Mwanza.
Chama, Simba’s two-goal hero in the first leg had his opportunity to punish Power Dynamos three minutes before the break but missed his chance as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors.
Simba approached the second stanza with full force and almost grabbed the equaliser five minutes before the hour mark. Unfortunately, John Bocco shot off target in one of their best chances.
The Zambian champions could however not stop the Tanzanians from getting the crucial goal thanks to Makwaza who slotted into his own net Simba’s dangerous free kick in the 68th minute.
Power couldn’t recover from the unfortunate setback as they picked another draw to bow out of the competition.
At Au Stade Alphonse Massamba Stadium in Congo Brazzaville, Diables Noirs stunned Muza 2-0 to reach the Group Stages of the CAF Confederations Cup thanks to a 4-1 aggregate victory over the Zambians who were making their debut appearance in the CAF inter club championship.
Second half goals from Jean Opimbat and Gloire Ngambali Onguele completed a double victory over Muza who were stunned 2-1 in the first leg which was played two weeks ago at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
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