Simba Bhora marked their maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Eswatini’s Nsingizi Hotspurs on Sunday evening.
The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions secured the first-leg advantage in the preliminary round at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, after being forced to play away from home due to Zimbabwe’s lack of a CAF-approved venue.
Midfielder Ishmael Nyanhi struck the decisive goal in the 57th minute, ensuring Simba Bhora head into next week’s return leg in Eswatini with a slender but valuable lead.
The aggregate winner will progress to the first round of Africa’s elite club competition.