Asec Mimosas steals valuable point in Dar es Salaam
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Ivorian giants, Asec Mimosas managed to salvage a point away from home when they faced Tanzanian powerhouse, Simba AC in a TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group B match that ended 1-1 at the Mkapa Stadium in Der es Salaam on Saturday afternoon.
The Mimosas, who last tasted CAF Champions League success in 1998 were up against a spirited Simba AC side that is also looking at affirming itself on the continent like their arch-rivals, Young Africans who are almost tasted TotalEnergies CAF Confederations Cup after finishing second last season.
As expected, the hosts who had the backing of the highly vocal crowd wasted no time in applying the pressure to get the early lead.
After doing well to contain the hosts, a lapse in concentration by the visitors saw them concede a penalty towards the dying moments of the first half for Saidi Ntibazonkiza to step up and give his side the lead from the spot-kick in the 44th minute.
Coming back from the break, Simba came out even stronger as they pushed forward for the cushion goal against the former champions.
However, it was not meant to be for the East Africans as the Ivorians showed maturity in defence and not buckling under pressure.
Mimosas, in their containing the pressure did well in attack towards the closing stages and were rewarded in the 77th minute when Serge Pokou found the leveler to take a valuable point away from home in a highly competitive encounter.
Simba will look to redeem themselves in their next Group B encounter when they travel to Botswana to face Jwaneng Galaxy next Saturday - a side that knocked out former champions and 2013 silver-medalists, Orlando Pirates.
Mimosas on the other hand have an even tougher assignment on the same day when they welcome former champions Wydad AC.
