ON form Simba SC will be looking to divert their Mainland Premier League success to Azam Sports Federation Cup ( ASFC) as they face Stand United te st at Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga today .
It will be one of the tricky fixtures for both teams knowing in advance that any negative outcome will lead to either of them bid farewell the prestigious competition whose winner represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.
However, on paper, Simba looks a winning team but in football, always normal period of play gives a good judgment of which side dominated the other throughout the encounter.
Simba’s versatile playmaker Luis Miquissone has of late made headlines following his brilliant skills in recent matches he has been featured after contributing one goal in their latest 3-1 triumph over Biashara United in the city.
Speaking recently prior to the game, the team’s captain John Bocco admitted that playing against Stand United in the ASFC will not be that easy.
“ We have not played against Stand United for a long time ever since they were relegated from the top flight league.
We do not know how they currently play and I am sure that they have got some new players in their squad but we are a big team and will approach the match with winning mentality,” said he.
To reach this far, the Msimbazi Street giants ousted Mwadui FC 2-1 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam in a game which seemed hard to digest by the hosts.
What then seemed to be a sinking ship was expertly navigated to safety by Kenyan import Francis Kahata who scored in the 84th minute to break the 1-1 deadlock which saw Simba coming from behind to progress into the last 16 of the contest against the determined visitors.
On the day, transformed Mwadui FC took the lead in the 34th minute courtesy of Mathias Gerald but that was levelled in the 45th minute by Z ambian bought midfielder Clatous Chama.
On the other hand, Stand United crushed out Majimaji 5-1 on post match penalties to book a date with Simba after the full 90 minutes of play ended 1-1 at Majimaji ground in Songea.
They will too be eager to use this chance as their only opportunity to go further in the competition especially with the fact that they are using a home ground territory.
As Stand United entertain Simba, another eye catching battle will be at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya where Mbeya City FC welcome Lindi based Namungo FC with each team keen to make it into the quarter-finals.
Only one game will be played in Dar es Salaam at Uhuru Stadium as Panama FC take on Sahare All Stars while at Nangwanda Sijaona Stadium in Mtwara, Ndanda FC host Kitayosa FC.
Another four games will be played tomorrow with Azam FC confronting Ihefu FC at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya while JKT Tanzania play against Alliance FC at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma.
At Kaitaba Stadium in Kagera, hosts Kagera Sugar will face KMC whereas Young Africans will battle it up against Mwanza based Gwambina FC at the National Stadium in the city.
