Simba hold Ahly in Africa Football League opener
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Simba SC held Al Aly to 2-2 draw at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam witnessed quality football on Friday, October 20. Courtesy

Football fans at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam witnessed quality football on Friday, October 20, as Simba SC held Al Aly to 2-2 draw in the first ever quarter-final of the inaugural edition of the African Football League (AFL).

There was a great atmosphere inside the Tanzanian biggest sports stadium as Simba recovered from a goal down to lead the Egyptian giants before Mahmoud Kahraba scored an equalizer with a fine effort to make it 2-2.

It was a balanced game in the first half until Reda Slim broke the deadlock in the 45th minute to give Al Ahly the lead before half time.

After recess, Simba dominated Al Ahly with Denis Kibu netting the equalizer in the 53rd minute before Sadio Kanoute made it 2-1 in the 60th minute.

But Al Ahly responded swiftly with Mahmoud Kahraba equalizing three minutes later to make it 2-2.

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Both teams held on and defended gallantly to share the spoils.

The Africa Football League has no away goal rule and both teams have the same fair chance when they meet in Cairo next weekend in the return leg.

"Visit Rwanda", a tourism initiative by the Rwanda Development Board which sponsors Arsenal, PSG and Bayern Munich, is among main partners of the competition.