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The 2020-2021 Caf Champions League group stage had five Ugandans but only Taddeo Lwanga and Denis Onyango survived to reach the last eight.
On Saturday, the chances of having a Ugandan collect this tournament’s medal were dashed as Lwanga and Onyango departed the stage with their respective clubs Simba SC of Tanzania and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sundowns failed to overturn a two-goal deficit and a 1-all draw at home to holders Al Ahly of Egypt wasn’t enough on Saturday.
The 2016 winners Sundowns bowed out 3-1 on aggregate. Goalkeeper Onyango had been at fault for misjudging a long cross when he conceded the second time for a 2-0 loss in Cairo a week ago.
But the former Cranes’ skipper could barely be blamed when Sundowns conceded to an unmarked Yasser Ibrahim who gave Al Ahly an 11th minute lead in Pretoria.
And whereas the Brazilians responded through Mosa Lebusa’s header, Sundowns did not have enough armory to usurp the visitors under the guise of former coach Pitso Mosimane.
Meanwhile, Simba too were bidding to become the first East African club to achieve success in this competition but a 3-0 over Kaizer Chiefs in Dar es Salaam wasn’t enough.
The Msimbazi Giants were ejected 4-3 on aggregate. However, coach Didier Gomes’ side put up a fight.
Simba produced 32 shots at goal and 10 were on target with John Bocco netting a brace and industrious Zambian Clatous Chama scoring the third on 86 minutes.
Defensive midfielder Lwanga was taken after 35 minutes following a collision with Kenyan defender Joash Onyango in quest for an aerial ball.
TOTAL CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
Simba SC (TAZ) 3-0 Kaizer Chiefs (RSA)
(Chiefs advanced 4-3 on agg.)
Sundowns (RSA) 1-1 Al Ahly (EGY)
(Al Ahly advanced 3-1 on agg.)
Wydad (MAR) 1-0 MC Alger (ALG)
(Wydad advanced 2-1 on agg.)
Esperance (TUN) 2-0 CR Belouizdad (ALG)
(Tied 2-all, Esperance won 3-2 on pens.)
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This writer is a global broadcaster and as well a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune