AfricaPress-Tanzania: TANZANIA’s Simba SC’s officials say their team must emerge victorious in the CAF Champions League’s clash against Sudanese side, Al Merrieikh, if the former are to remain in contention for the showpiece
Simba SC hosts the Sudanese side at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam today. The two sides met a week ago in Khartoum and the game ended in a goalless draw.
The results saw Simba SC still clinging on to the Group A’s top spot with seven points.
Simba SC’s information officer, Haji Manara, noted his side must collect the three points today to remain on top of the group and make their quarterfinal dreams a reality.
“We have to treat our Tuesday game with care, it will be a difficult match, but we must play to win so that our chances of reaching the quarterfinal stage of CAF Champions League are real,” he said.
He said they must compensate their last week’s goal less draw with the Sudanese with a win today.
Simba SC’s tactician, Didier Gomes, noted: “Like I said at the beginning of this campaign it is a must for us to collect all points at home. We had a goal less draw against them away and must compensate with home win.”
The CAF announced that today’s clash must be played without fans and Manara said it is painful for Simba, but they are well prepared as their players are used to playing without fans.
“It is a new experience to our fans, but our players are used to playing without supporters, they did that in so many games, the only thing our supporters should do is to remember the team in their prayers and wish the team good luck,” he said.
Simba SC will be without ever present and influential defender, Paschal Wawa, and central midfielder, Taddeo Lwanga, who are suspended after picking second yellow cards in Sudan.
The two are some of Simba players who have played each and every match since coach Didier Gomes took over as the club’s head coach.
However, Gomes has enough replacement for the two as he can use Jonas Mkude in Lwanga’s place and Kennedy Juma as a replacement for Wawa.
“We will miss them alot but we have players who will cover up their places,” the tactician stated.
The French man said he took his time to study his opponents and he is confident that they will get the desired results.
He said he said he will change the approach so as to win the game.
‘s last eight place.
