TFF refutes top clubs’ claims of favouritism

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has hit back at some Mainland Premier League clubs’ claims that Simba get an easy ride on fixtures.

Some club officials and soccer fans claimed on Monday that Simba get a certain “influence” when it came to their schedule, something both TFF and Simba were eager to refute yesterday ahead of the Msimbazi Reds’ trip to Lusaka, Zambia.

“Our decision to reschedule matches involving Simba stems from the fact that they need ample time to adequately prepare for the first round of Caf Champions League,” the TFF Information officer, Clifford Ndimbo, said.

Simba were to face Coastal Union and Kagera Sugar on December 1 and 7 respectively, but TFF postponed the matches indefinitely at the request of the Msimbazi Street team.

A match between Simba and Azam FC, which was to take place on Friday, has also been rescheduled.

But Ndimbo insisted that the turnaround between fixtures is due to the team’s participation in the Caf Champions League.

Simba leave for Kitwe, Zambia tomorrow for Saturday’s caf Champions League clash against Nkana FC .

Former TFF secretary general, Fredrick Mwakalebela, is among soccer fans who claimed that the federation had erred in its decision to pu on hold matches involving Simba for three weeks.

“We don’t expect it to be like the EPL (England Premier League) but we want to see our league is well handled,” Mwakalebela said.

Mwakalebela said Simba have not played a league match for nearly two weeks, which, he claimed, means they get an easy ride on fixtures.

Tanzania Premier League Board has also put on hold matches involving Mtibwa Sugar – the country’s representatives in Confederation Cup.

Despite the strain such move will likely put the two teams under, coaches of Simba and Mtibwa said they have no objection to it.

“We have our squad and pool of players that are meant to answer to that (challenge). We have our training methodologies on how to provide recovery in whatever way necessary,” Simba coach Patrick Aussems said.

Mtibwa are also expected to leave for Kampala, Uganda tomorrow for the first round, first leg of the Confederation Cup clash against KCC.