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Simba off to DR Congo for TP Mazembe clash

Simba Sports Club players train at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana ground yesterday. The team leaves the country today ahead of the African Champions League match agaisnt TP Mazembe to be held tomorrow in Lubumbashi PHOTO| MICHAEL MATEMANGA

What you need to know:

  • The Tanzanian side will play the game under ‘protest’ following decision by CAF to substitute Kenyan officials, Peter Waweru and Gilbert Cheruiyot with Zambians for the second leg of the Champions League game.

Dar es Salaam. Simba Sports Club leaves the country today for Lubumbashi, ahead of tomorrow’s African Champions League encounter with TP Mazembe of DR Congo.

The Tanzanian side will, however, be playing the game under protest over a last minute switch of officials to officiate the match.

Simba which played to a goaless draw with TP Mazembe here in Dare es Salaam, alerted African football governing body (Caf) about their protest.

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Simba Sports Club Chief Executive Officer, Crecentius Magori said all players were ready for the encounter and that they have taken all the precautions to ensure their game plan went smoothly.

He said they were however concerned that CAF was yet to reply to their protest over the switch of match referees.

The match was to be officiated by Bamlak Tessema Weyesa from Ethiopia and assited by Temesgin Samuel Atango also from Ethiopia and Gilbert Cheruiyot from Kenya.

However, CAF later replaced the Kenyan officials with Zambian and Eritrean referees.

Magori said a team of 18 players and seven officials will make the trip to DR Congo. “Our players are in top shape and believe they will show their best in the encounter. He said technical bench under head coach Patrick Aussems has done a good job to prepare the boys. “We are optimistic of coming out with a good result. Our fans should pray for us.”

Simba will be looking to advance to the semi finals of the African championships against a team that has won the honours five times.

The team needs at least a 1-1 draw to advance to the next stage. Key players Meddie Kagere, Emanuel Okwi, John Bocco and Clatus Chama are fit for the show down. Dependable defender Pascal Wawa is still out with an injury.

Simba trained yesterday at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana grounds, with the coach appearing to favour an all-out attack against TP Mazembe.

“Our rivals are normal and we have the desire to prove our worth as well in the game. We will play with determination,” he said.

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