AfricaPress-Tanzania: TANZANIA’s Simba SC players are determined to reach the quarterfinals of this season’s CAF Champions League by seeing off Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s AS Vita Club in a Group A tie at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam tomorrow.
Simba are within touching distance of reaching the premier continental club tournament’s last eight, as they only need a draw to make it to the stage.
The outfit leads Group A with 10 points, having notched victory in three outings and draw in one game.
The tournament’s defending champions, Egypt’s Al Ahly, are placed second, followed by AS Vita Club and Al Merreikh of Sudan in the third and last positions respectively.
Simba SC’s head coach Didier Gomes said they are doing all they can to see the team reach the last eight stage.
He said they will fight every inch of the way in a quest for a place in the quarterfinal stage of CAF Champions League.
He noted: “We beat them at their backyard in the previous match, they will come flat out to win, it won’t be easy. We know it will be tough and our approach will be the key factor.”
”We’ll have to remain focused throughout the match,” the French coach added.
The coach said the good thing is that Simba players, supporters, executives and stakeholders are all working in the same direction.
“The players who are currently in camp are determined to play the game of their lives. We know our opponents are a tough side, but we are working on how to defeat them,” he said.
Florent Ibenge, AS Vita Club’s head coach, is said to have lamented lack of enough preparation for his outfit.
Ibenge, who is as well the DRC senior national football side’s head coach, nevertheless, pointed out they are prepared to win tomorrow’s clash.
He noted: “Our side is in Tanzania with on purpose, that is qualifying for CAF Champions League’s last eight, reaching that stage is still in our hands and we still have to fight hard.”
