Zimbabwe’s CAF Champions League representatives, Simba Bhora, bowed out of the competition after a 4–2 penalty shootout defeat to Nsingizini Hotspurs at Somhlolo Stadium in Eswatini on Sunday.
The tie had ended 1–1 on aggregate, with Simba Bhora winning the first leg 1–0 in Botswana before suffering a 1–0 defeat in the reverse fixture. With nothing to separate the two sides after regulation time, the contest was decided from the spot.
Nsingizini held their nerve, converting four penalties, while Simba Bhora could only manage two, sealing their elimination from continental football.
The Eswatini side will now advance to face Tanzanian giants Simba SC in the second preliminary round, with the winner progressing to the lucrative group stage.
For Simba Bhora, attention now turns back to domestic duties, where they remain firmly in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title race. The reigning champions are just one point behind log leaders Scottland and still have a game in hand against Triangle United, with five rounds of fixtures left to play.
zbc sports