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Simba coach optimistic ahead of Harare match

Simba’s midfielder Jonas Mkude (left) shields the ball away from KMC’s players Jean Mugiraneza (centre) and Kenny Ali during the Vodacom Premier League match held on Wednesday night at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Simba won 1-0. photo | michael matemanga

What you need to know:

  • Simba have played three matches in eight days against Polisi Tanzania, Mbeya City and KMC and managed to win all the games

Dar es Salaam. Simba Sports Club head coach Sven Vandenbroeck says they are targeting good results against FC Platinum in the African Champions League match to be held next Wednesday at the National Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Vandenbroeck said although they face a tough fixture in the Vodacom Premier League, the fitness of his committed players gives him confidence in doing the best in the encounter. He said they regarded the league’s matches as a test ahead of the match and they were happy to win all of them.

Simba have played three matches in eight days against Polisi Tanzania on December 9 and won 2-0 before posting 1-0 against Mbeya City at the Sokoine Stadium on December 13 and later won 1-0 against Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) on December 16.

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“The level of fitness of my players is very high as they have fought hard to win all the matches. It does not matter about the number of goals we should score as our focus is on collecting three points.

“Having won those matches against tough teams, it means how committed our players are to winning the silverware. We need to do our best in matches of both local and African Champions leagues,” he insisted.

He said they have observed their opponents and have already techniques that will make them even shine in away matches. “We cannot underestimate our opponents as we need to fight hard and book space in Group Stage of the competition. We have to beat our previous records this season,” said Vandenbroeck.

Meanwhile, Simba’s attacking midfielders, Bernard Morrison and Larry Bwalya are not part of the team’s players, who leave today for Zimbabwe to face FC Platinum.

Simba’s right back defender, David Kameta, will also not travel due to his assignment in the national U-20 football team (Ngorongoro Heroes) .

Simba’s manager Abbas Ali said that Morrison is suffering from malaria and is under treatment while Bwalya is not fit to feature in the encounter.

Ali said they planned to travel with 27 players, but opted for 22 due to unavoidable reasons.

“We are still waiting for a report from our medical team on the health statuses of our players. So, the final list will be released soon after getting that report,” said Ali.

While in Harare, he said they will train to climatise to the weather condition of the country.

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By Majuto Omary@majutoy2k [email protected]

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