The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Simba qualified for the continental competition after winning the domestic league. In the first preliminary round, they eliminated Plateau United of Nigeria 1-0 on aggregate.
Wekundu wa Msimbazi sealed their place in the group stages after an aggregate 4-1 win over Zimbabwean outfit FC Platinum in the second preliminary round. After a 1-0 loss away, thanks to a Perfect Chikwende goal, Wekundu wa Msimbazi hit back on Wednesday, January 6.
Erasto Nyoni put Simba ahead from the penalty spot in the 40th minute before Shomari Kapombe added the second in the 61st minute, John Bocco grabbed the third in added time and Clatous Chama made it 4-0 with seconds left to the final whistle.
It seems his exit has also affected the club’s Information Officer Haji Manara, who has termed it as sad news but asked for calm as they search for his successor.
“It is not good news for this period,” Manara wrote on his Facebook page after the exit of Vandenbroeck. “But let us pray we relax and leave the task of getting a good successor to our leadership so that we can cross the line together.”
On the coach’s exit, Simba said in a statement obtained by Goal: “The Board of Directors of Simba Sports Club announces to its members and fans that we have parted ways with our head coach Sven Vandenbroeck by mutual consent.
Who shone for Simba? Wekundu wa Msimbazi made it to the group stage of the Caf Champions League and here is the list of the players who played a big role in helping the team advance. Simba SC. Aishi Manula
The custodian was high on confidence and ensured he organized his back-four well. He ensured his team did not leak a vital early goal by making a crucial save in the initial exchanges.
The Taifa Star was solid throughout and helped in buildup from the back. It explains why coach Etienne Ndayiragije always considers him for the national team assignments.
As a result, the Msimbazi-based charges have now been placed in Pot 3 alongside Petro de Luanda of Angola, the winner between Sudanese outfit Al Hilal and Asante Kotoko of Ghana and MC Alger of Algeria.
Pot 1 is made up of Al Ahly of Egypt, Morocco s Wydad Casablanca, Esperance de Tunis from Tunisia and Tout Puissant Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Zamalek of Egypt are in Pot 2 alongside Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Horoya AC of Guinea and AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa, Sudan s Al-Merrikh, Algerian outfit CR Belouizdad, and Teungueth of Senegal have been placed in Pot 4.