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Bring on Simba, says Alliance boss Mataka

Simba striker Emmanuel Okwi (left) battles for the ball against defender Datus Peter of Stand United during the Mainland Premier League match at the National Stadium on Sunday. Okwi, whose first half goal steered the Msimba Reds to a 3-0 win over Stand, is among players Alliance FC defenders must mark tightly if they are to avoid defeat today. PHOTO | MICHAEL MATEMANGA

What you need to know:

  • Simba sit third in the league table with 17 points from eight outings, two points adrift of second-placed Yanga, who are not in action today

Dar es Salaam. Baptism of fire awaits struggling Alliance FC when they face high-flying Simba at the National Stadium today.

Alliance are at the bottom of the 20-team league table with six points from 10 matches, 11 adrift of third-placed Simba and 15 behind leaders Azam FC.

But the Mwanza-based team coach, Mbwana Samata, said yesterday that his players are not intimidated facing the Msimbazi Reds.

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“It will be a tough encounter but we are ready to face them,” Mbwana said.

He added: “We will do ourselves a huge disservice if we fear them even before we face them.

“They will field 11 players on the pitch and we are going to have the same number of players. There is no need to fear or get intimidated.”

The clash, which kicks off at 7pm, is among five Mainland Premier League matches that are on the menu at different venues across the country.

Elsewhere, league leaders Azam FC take on stubborn JKT Tanzania at the Isamuhyo ground, Coast Region, in another interest-generating encounter. It starts at 4pm.

Coastal Union host Kagera Sugar at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga, while Tanzania Prisons and African Lyon face off at Sokoine Memorial Stadium in Mbeya.

The day will also see Ruvu Shooting and Singida United locking horns at Mabatini ground in Coast Region.

But many soccer fans will, arguably, focus their attention at the National Stadium, where a win for Simba, would seek them move one step up the ladder and leapfrog second-placed Young Africans.

Simba are now third in the league table with 17 points from eight outings, four points adrift of leaders Azam and two behind Yanga.

Yanga are on the sidelines until tomorrow when they take on KMC at the National Stadium.

On paper, Simba, who thrashed Stand United 3-0 at the same venue on Sunday, start as favourites in today’s match.

Emmanuel Okwi and Meddie Kagere are among strikers the Mwanza-based team’s defenders must mark tightly if they are to avoid humiliation.

In the headlines