DAR ES SALAAM: IBRAHIM Doumbia stole the headlines with a brace as Simba thrashed 15 de Agosto 6–1 in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday, with head coach Steve Barker’s second-half substitutions proving Nathan Chilambo opened the scoring in the 42nd minute before Elie Mpanzu doubled Simba’s advantage after the break.

Doumbia, Keletso Makgalwa and Anicet Oura added further goals as the guests turned their dominance into a commanding victory. Morice Abraham, introduced from the bench, contributed two assists and a goal.

Simba’s performance was a tale of two approaches: Patient positional play in the first half, followed by a more direct and ruthless attacking display after the interval.

From the opening whistle, Simba combined fluid attacking movements with intelligent positional rotations to unsettle a 15 de Agosto side that adopted a deep defensive block, hoping to absorb pressure and threaten on the counter-attack.

The home side struggled to contain Simba’s movement, particularly when defenders and deeper players advanced into unexpected positions.

Nathan Chilambo and Ismail Toure pushed forward to stretch the defensive structure, forcing 15 de Agosto to track runners from different areas.

Toure came close to breaking the deadlock in the 25th minute, sending his effort narrowly wide. Nine minutes later, Mpanzu broke through and rounded the goalkeeper before squaring to Clatous Chama, whose effort was cleared off the line by a recovering defender. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 42nd minute.

Following a move involving Libasse Gueye, Chilambo and Mpanzu, the latter’s effort was blocked, but Chilambo reacted quickest to head home the rebound. Barker’s changes transform the contest The home side showed greater attacking intent after the break, with Alozie Uwandu testing goalkeeper Djibrilla Kassali with a strike towards the far post in the 47th minute.

Kassali, however, denied him. 15 de Agosto increased openness and this made them vulnerable to Simba who created more opportunities.

In the 56th minute, Gueye delivered a long cross into the penalty area, allowing Mpanzu to finish with just two touches and make it 2–0.

Barker then introduced Doumbia, Makgalwa and Abraham for Chama, Mpanzu and Neo Maema, injecting fresh energy and greater penetration into Simba’s attack.

The changes paid immediate dividends. In the 64th minute, Doumbia drove forward on the counter-attack, beat a defender and continued despite the goalkeeper’s challenge before finding the net for Simba’s third.

Seven minutes later, Abraham set up Makgalwa to extend the lead, highlighting the effectiveness of Barker’s substitutions and the visitors’ growing defensive difficulties.

Simba added a fifth in the 81st minute when Oura capitalised on a blocked cross from Bakari Msimu to direct the loose ball into the net.

Doumbia completed his brace in the 88th minute, finishing another Abraham assist to cap a devastating secondhalf performance.

Uwandu scored a late consolation for 15 de Agosto after a defensive error, denying Simba a clean sheet but doing little to diminish the scale of their victory.

Simba’s six-goal haul underlined their attacking depth and Barker’s ability to influence a match through tactical adjustments.

Their positional flexibility unsettled 15 de Agosto in the first half, while quicker transitions and the impact of the substitutes proved decisive after the interval.

Doumbia’s finishing and Abraham’s creativity were standout contributions, but the result was built on a collective performance that combined tactical intelligence with clinical execution.

The late concession nevertheless serves as a reminder that defensive concentration remains essential ahead of the return fixture.

Simba goes into Sunday’s second leg with a commanding 6–1 advantage and a significant step towards the next round within reach.