Simba, Yanga handed tricky draws at CAF Champions League
Combined photos of Simba and Yanga players celebrating after scoring goals in their CAF Champions League last-32 first-leg qualifiers on September 16, 2023. PHOTO | COURTESY
The draw, which was announced on Friday, October 6, sees Tanzania champions Yanga grouped in Group D together with the defending champions, Al Ahly of Egypt, Chabab Riadhi de Belouizdad (CD Belouizdad) of Algeria, and Medeama SC of Ghana.
Simba are in Group B together with Wydad Club Athletic of Morocco, Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast, and Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana.
Tanzania’s envoys in the CAF Champions League, Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba, have been handed a seemingly tricky draw in the group stage of the competition.
The draw, which was announced on Friday, October 6, sees Tanzania champions Yanga grouped in Group D together with the defending champions, Al Ahly of Egypt, Chabab Riadhi de Belouizdad (CD Belouizdad) of Algeria, and Medeama SC of Ghana.
Simba are in Group B together with Wydad Club Athletic of Morocco, Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast, and Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana.
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Speaking to The Citizen, Simba’s board director chairman, Salim “Try Again” Abdallah, said that they are facing tough assignments against all teams.
Abdallah said all teams managed to beat them in the same competition and need to be very keen in order to qualify for the knockout stage.
“It is a challenging group as we will face tough teams that we lost to in previous matches. We have strategies ahead of the matches, and we are sure to do our best,” said Abdallah.
He said the task remains for the technical bench to prepare a technical plan that will enable the team to sail through to the knockout stages.
Yanga’s media manager, Ally Kamwe, admitted that they will face tough opponents, but they are ready to show their prowess in the competition.
Yanga will start their campaign against CR Belouizdad between November 24 and 25, and later host Al Ahly at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium between December 1 and 2.
Yanga will also play away against Medeama SC of Ghana between December 8 and 9 and later host Medeama on December 19 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Simba will start against Asec Mimosas at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium between November 24 and 25 and later confront Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana away between December 1 and 2. Simba will face Wydad Club Athletic between December 8 and 9.
The fixtures show that the final group stage matches have been scheduled to take place between March 1 and 2.
Tanzanians will be hoping that their teams can overcome the tough challenges they face and qualify for the knockout stage of the CAF Champions League.
