Aussems refuses to throw in towel

Dar es Salaam. Amid hushed suggestions he could be the next man to be axed after the demoralising 5-0 rout by Al Ahly of Egypt in Alexandria, Simba coach Patrick Aussems has maintained a defiant stand.

“I don’t think we are out of the race this early in the competition, we just got derailed,” Aussems said on arrival at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) yesterday from Egypt.

“We will get back on track, there is still three more games to play,” the Belgian said.

Simba returned home heads down yesterday from Egypt, where they failed to shine in the Group D clash of the Caf Champions League against Al Ahly on Saturday.

Despite being hit by a series of injuries to no less than 11 key players, Ahly produced an outstanding first half performance to score all five goals in the opening 40 minutes.

Al Ahly – the record eight-time champions – now top Group D with seven points, three clear of second placed AS Vita of DR Congo.

Simba have three points and Algeria’s JS Saoura on two points in that order.

Aussems – the former Belgian footballer and Nepal national soccer team coach – signed a one-year contract with Simba last year, replacing Frenchman Pierre Lechantre, who parted ways with the club after the end of the 2017/2018 season.

Lechantre served the Msimbazi Street based club for six months and guided the team to win the league’s 19th title after missing it for about five consecutive seasons, but the club denied him contract extension.

“Three matches to play you still have to stay positive. In any scenario where you’re still mathematically in‚ you still have to keep pushing,” Aussems insisted.

For his part, Simba chief executive officer Crescentius Magori said the Msimbazi Reds still have a chance to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Magori said he was very happy to see another Group D clash between JS Saoura and As Vita Club end in a 2-2 draw.

“We cannot stop the show (fighting for a place in the last eight). We will have to keep pushing and performing. You don’t know what’s going to happen with the rest of the other matters,” he said.

He voiced optimism that Simba will win all their home matches and revive their hopes for the next stage of the tournament.

Aussems’ men will face Al Ahly in a reverse fixture on February 12 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.