Simba to lock horns with FC Platinum in Caf competition
Simba attacking midfielder Mzamiru Yassin (left) beats Plateau United players during their African Champions League match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium yesterday. They drew 0-0, a result that saw Simba qualifying for the next round of qualifiers. photo | michael matemanga
What you need to know:
- The first match pitting the two teams will take place between December 22 and 23 and the return leg has been scheduled to take place between January 5 and 6 next year
Dar es Salaam. Mainland Tanzania representatives in the Caf Champions League, Simba SC, will face FC Platinum of Zimbabwe in the second preliminary round.
Simba have booked a space after eliminating Nigeria’s Plateau United in the return leg encounter held at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium yesterday. The teams played out a goalless draw, a result which took Simba to the next stage following their first leg 1-0 victory.
The first match pitting the two teams will take place between December 22 and 23 and the return leg has been scheduled to take place between January 5 and 6, next year.
Simba played well in the encounter and created several scoring chances, but most of them went begging. The clearest chance was wasted by Hassan Dilunga in the 67th minute after shooting straight to Plateau United goalkeeper, Adam Abubakari.
The Msimbazi Street giants’ Luis Miquissone was man of the match for Simba’s side following his nice drives that made Plateau United players fouling him several times.
Plateau United who was under their attacking midfielder Ali Isah Ndala made several attempts, but Simba’s defence under Serge Pascal Wawa and Erasto Nyoni stood firm to clear all dangerous moves. Simba captain John Bocco admitted the encounter to be tough, but lauded his teammates for fighting hard throughout the 90 minutes.
“The match was tough because our opponents were disciplined and aggressive. Our focus is now on the next matches and we are optimistic to perform well,” he said.
Meanwhile; Tanzania Mainland representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, Namungo FC today face Al Rabita of Sudan at the Azam Complex.
The encounter has been scheduled to start from 4pm and Namungo FC need only a draw in order to qualify for the next round.
In the first match, Namungo FC won 3-0 in the encounter held at Azam Complex. The match is being held in the country due to current political instability in Sudan.
The team will be under strikers Steven Sey, Bigirimana Blaise and attaching midfielder Shiza Kichuya.Team head coach Hemed Morocco said they were determined to fight for victory.
Morocco said they were not underrating Al Rabita, but he believed that they will give his boys a tough challenge.
“My players are in top form and I believe they will deliver, I know we are facing a team that wants to overturn the first leg result, but we will make sure that their plans don’t work,” said Morocco.
Morocco said they are in the battle and they need to be focused all the time.
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By Majuto Omary @majutoy2k [email protected]
