Uganda Cranes forward Steven Mukwala made a late appearance as Simba SC recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win over CS Sfaxien in the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday.
Mukwala entered the game in the 90th minute, replacing Leonel Ateba.
By then, the damage had already been done, with Simba leading through a 34th-minute goal from Ivorian forward Jean Charles Ahoua.
Ateba, who later made way for Mukwala, provided the assist for the winning goal.
Simba’s Formidable Run
The victory marked Simba’s third win in four games in the Confederation Cup, consolidating their position at the top of Group A.
They share the lead with Algerian outfit Constantine, who also have nine points but boast a superior goal difference.
Simba will next play Angola’s Bravo do Maquis in Angola on January 12, a fixture that could determine their qualification to the next round.
Aucho Shines, Onyango Benched in CAF Champions League
While Mukwala is Uganda’s attention in the Confederation Cup, other Ugandans made their mark in the CAF Champions League.
Khalid Aucho: The Uganda Cranes captain was pivotal in Young Africans’ 3-1 victory over TP Mazembe at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Aucho assisted Stephane Aziz Ki’s goal in the 56th minute, which gave Yanga the lead for the first time.
The Tanzanian champions secured their first win of the tournament, moving to third place in Group A with four points.
Denis Onyango: The veteran goalkeeper was an unused substitute as his club, Mamelodi Sundowns, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca in a fiery clash.
The match featured three red cards, with Sundowns’ Bathusi Aubaas and Khuliso Madau seeing red in the 40th and 95th minutes, respectively.
Raja’s Marouane Zila was also sent off for a second bookable offense.
Sundowns remain second in Group B with five points after four games and will face Maniema in the Democratic Republic of Congo on January 11.
Upcoming Fixtures for Ugandan Stars
Khalid Aucho: Young Africans will travel to Mauritania to face Al-Hilal Omdurman on January 12 in a must-win encounter.
Denis Onyango: Mamelodi Sundowns will look to bounce back when they visit Maniema Union in DRC a day earlier.
Steven Mukwala: Simba SC visit Bravo do Maquis on January 12, hoping to solidify their spot at the top of Group A.
As the Confederation Cup and Champions League head into their crucial stages, all eyes will be on these Ugandan stars to see how they shape the fortunes of their respective clubs.
