Ismailia now lead their group

It was a keenly contested tie, with the home team struggling in the second half until Mohamed Greisha snatched the winner in the 71st minute.

Victory took Ismailia to eight points after four matches in Group A, two more than Enyimba of Nigeria - who are away to Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast on Sunday.

Group A results and fixtures

The Egyptians dominated the first half but a 22nd minute goal from defender and captain Emad al-Nahas did little to reflect their effort against the slow-starting Simba.

But the Tanzanians were a transformed side in the second half, coming out of a defensive shell and drawing level in the 57th minute, when a free kick was pushed into the path of Yusuf Macho, who rifled the ball into the net.

Stung by the goal, the north Africans seized the initiative.

Malian striker Dramane Traore, joint leading Champions League scorer with six goals, was involved in many attacks and went close on two occasions, firing into the side netting when clear and going even closer with a header.

But Simba eventually cracked, as their strained defence failed to pick up a Hosni Rabbou run into the penalty area in the 70th minute.

Greisha, latching on to his pass, was perfectly positioned to punish the Tanzanian's slack marking, giving Kaseja no chance with a low shot.

Simba, now third in Group A with four points, will be hoping Asec - currently at the bottom of the group - could get their first win of the competition against Nigeria's Enyimba on Sunday.