Tanzania dual plot CAF comeback

DAR ES SALAAM: HEAD coaches of Tanzanian envoys Simba SC and Azam FC remain resolute and confident, despite both teams kicking off their respective CAF inter-club group stage campaigns with defeats on Sunday.

Both tacticians stressed that with five matches remaining, there is ample time to rectify early mistakes, but insisted that every upcoming fixture, whether at home or away, must now be approached with heightened urgency and caution.

Simba head coach Dimitar Pantev said their 1–0 loss to Angola’s Atlético Petroleos de Luanda was more of a wake-up call than a setback, insisting his side will rebound strongly and progress to the knockout phase.

Speaking after the match, Pantev pointed to Simba’s overall control and chance creation, arguing that the team performed well but failed to convert opportunities.

“I believe we will qualify; the team is strong enough—mentally and tactically—to bounce back,” he said.

Pantev added that Group D remains wide open and that a single positive result in the next match could dramatically alter the standings.

“This group is wide open, and a win puts us right back in the race. We have no time for excuses, only solutions, because the next match comes in days, not months,” he stressed.

Reflecting on the defeat, Pantev admitted poor finishing was the deciding factor and vowed to improve the team’s sharpness in front of goal.

He noted that football’s unpredictability means even dominant teams can be punished by a single decisive moment.

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Pantev acknowledged football’s unpredictability, saying even dominant teams can be punished by a single decisive moment.

In Kinshasa, DR Congo, Azam coach Florent Ibenge also struck an optimistic tone despite a 2–0 away defeat to AS Maniema Union.

He acknowledged that his team started poorly— particularly in ball retention—which allowed the Congolese side to take control of the match.

Ibenge said he was surprised by how frequently his players misplaced simple passes.

“We weren’t truly ourselves in the first half. We took possession, yet in the opening period we kept losing the ball after just three passes. At times, I struggled to even recognise the team.”

Following a sharp halftime discussion, Azam showed more composure and created several promising chances after the break.

“After the break we spoke briefly, and the message was clear. You saw the difference—we returned with a better mindset and created a handful of chances.”

Despite the loss, Ibenge defended his squad, saying the experience will help them mature in continental competition.