AfricaPress-Tanzania: TANZANIAN envoys in the major continental level tournaments face a big test this weekend in their both away and home games.
The big matches of today will see Isles envoys; Mlandege hosting Sfaxien of Tunisia at Amaan Stadium in the CAF Champions League first round as Simba also the envoys in the CAF Champions League will be on duty tomorrow away in Nigeria.
Best to watch today is the match of debutants; Namungo FC versus Rabita Juba FC of South Sudan and the match will be staged at Azam Complex in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam.
Both teams are playing in the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time this season.
Al Rabita FC Juba who won the South Sudan Cup early this year after beating Nile City FC of Yambio 2-0 in the finals at Seminary playing ground will be representing the country in this year’s CAF confederations cup for the first time in their club history.
Under the guidance of former interim national team coach Ramsey Sebit Lumeri, Al Rabita FC Juba will have to start the competition from the preliminary round due to the league rankings released by CAF, which show other clubs exempted from the preliminary round.
Against a team not popular in Nigerian football circuit, Simba face tricky situation as the strength and weakness of their opponents are virtually unknown.
However, Simba who have been doing well in the continental level tournaments are ready for everything.
The presence of many ‘crafty’ players like Luis Miqquisone, Clatous Chama, skipper John Bocco, defenders Pascal Wawa and Joash Onyango who are used to international game pressures, is likely to help the club overcome the Nigerian threat.
The return of the team’s key players was a huge boost to the club ahead of their CAF Champions League mission. Among them are Meddie Kagere and winger Luis Miquissone who is training intensively with the rest of the squad.
The two players missed Mainland Premier League action as Simba roared to a 7-0 thrashing of Coastal Union, a result coach Sven Vandenbroeck claimed was a perfect sign they are destined to do well in the CAF Champions League.
“The victory against Coastal Union is a great sign to the Champions League campaign,” Vandenbroeck told reporters after the match. “It shows you that we are prepared to take on the best in Africa.
“We needed such a win going into continental football, we know we face a tough opponent but we don’t want to go into the match with a negative mind, or we know it is possible, it can be done, and my boys have shown it after the huge win against Coastal Union.”
In a previous interview, Vandebroeck revealed ways they are working on in order to ensure they pick up wins against Plateau United.
