By 
Uganda Cranes striker Steven Mukwala played a starring role as Simba SC produced a stunning comeback to reach the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC), edging out Egyptian side Al Masry on penalties.
Simba came into the second leg trailing 2-0 after goals from Abderrahim Deghmoum and John Okoye Ebuka had given Al Masry the upper hand in the first leg at the Suez Stadium. Mukwala was only a late substitute in that game, featuring for the final ten minutes. But in the decisive return leg at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania, the Ugandan forward was front and center, playing the full 90 minutes and delivering when it mattered most.
With Simba needing a flawless performance, Elie Mpanzu gave the hosts early hope with a 22nd-minute opener. Just eight minutes later, Mukwala struck decisively, slotting home the second goal to level the aggregate score at 2-2, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
With no further goals in regular time, the tie was decided by a tense penalty shootout. Mukwala remained composed under pressure and successfully converted his spot kick, joined by teammates Jean Ahoua, Denis Kibu, and Shomari Kapombe. Simba triumphed 4-1 in the shootout, with Al Masry faltering—only Ben Yousef converted his penalty, while Mido Gaber and Mahmood Hamada failed to find the net.
The result ends Al Masry’s ambitions of a return to the CAFCC semi-finals, a stage they last reached in 2018. For Simba, it marks a remarkable turnaround and a major achievement, propelling them into the last four, where they will now face South Africa’s Stellenbosch, who eliminated Zamalek in their own dramatic quarter-final.
Mukwala’s impact, both in open play and from the penalty spot, highlighted his growing influence at Simba and his importance on the continental stage.
