Africa-Press – Tanzania. AFTER being drawn against Wydad Casablanca and Rivers United in the quarter finals of CAF Interclub Games, Simba and Young Africans have reacted positively pledging to record victories.
Simba have to overcome the Champions League holders Wydad Casablanca to clear their path into the semifinals of the continent’s biggest club showpiece.
The two teams meet in the first-leg match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam between April 21st and 22nd before the return leg tie in Morocco between April 27th and 28th this year.
In his immediate reaction after the draw, Simba’s Head Coach Roberto Oliveira insisted that beginning the double-header encounter at home is a big advantage to them.
“Listen, I have been saying for a long time that there is no easy team in the Champions League as such; we are going to have enough preparations so that we can manage to do well in both legs,” said the Brazilian tactician.
He added that in football, anything can happen provided they engage in effective preparations and that he is going to sharpen well his squad. Additionally, Simba’s Media and Communication Manager Ahmed Ally conceded that they have been drawn against a big club who are defending champions but reiterated that if they fully focus on them, they can win.
“In order to become a big club, you must overpower a team of Wydad caliber and if we concentrate on them for 100 percent, we can make a breakthrough into the semifinals,” he said.
This is set to be the first time for Simba to face Wydad Casablanca who target to defend the title for the second time in row and have so far clinched it three times.
For Yanga, they have to get the better of Rivers United (Nigeria) in a two-legged encounter before finding their way through to the semifinals where they are targeting
In his reaction, Yanga Assistant Coach Cedric Kaze fore casted a tough duel between the duo but maintained that they are going to do their homework well to emerge winners.
“All teams which have qualified to this stage are good but to be honest, I can see that we have an opportunity to do well and go deeper into the contest. All is in our hands,” Kaze said.
He continued: “We have confidence in ourselves and we believe that we can make it. We have a big chance and it is up to us to work hard for this,” he insisted.
Also, the club’s president Hersi Said narrated that despite losing to Rivers United two years ago, this time, the squad has been strengthened further and hoped to shine in both home and away games.
However, in other champions league last eight clashes, JS Kabylie (Algeria) face Esperance (Tunisia), CR Belouizdad (Algeria) against Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) and Al Ahly (Egypt) versus Raja Casablanca (Morocco).
For Yanga who topped group D mission with 13 points will play the first-leg match away in Nigeria before welcoming them (Rivers United) at Benjamin Mkapa arena in the city for the reverse leg. The winner between Yanga against Rivers United will face either Pyramids or Marumo Gallants in the semifinals.
In other confederation cup fixture, US Alger (Algeria) takes on ASFAR Club (Morocco), US Monastir (Tunisia) against Asec Mimosas (Cote D’Ivoire) while Pyramids FC (Egypt) interface Marumo Gallants (South Africa).
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