Classy Simba target Mtibwa scalp in VPL
Simba players attend a training session in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- Simba will march into the pitch this afternoon knowing that defeat would leave them six points behind Azam FC.
Dar es Salaam. Simba head coach Zdravko Logarusic has warned his players not to rest on their laurels as the Vodacom Premier League title challengers look to maintain their winning run against Mtibwa Sugar today.
Fourth-placed Simba gave yet another demonstration of their awesome strike power over the weekend, thrashing JKT Oljoro 4-0 to take their goal tally for the season to 31.
The Msimbazi Reds will march into the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro this afternoon knowing that defeat would leave them six points behind leaders Azam FC.
“I think it is very important for all the players to know that the only important thing for us is to win tomorrow,” the Croatian said yesterday.
Azam FC top the topflight with 36 points, one ahead of second-placed Young Africans, who squeezed a 1-0 win over Mbeya City at the National Stadium on Sunday.
Mbeya City, who are making their first appearance in the elite league, are third with 31 points while Simba sit fourth with 30 points.
A win for Simba would see them move one step up the ladder and leapfrog Mbeya city who are not in action today.
Matches involving Yanga and Azam have been put on hold because they are fine-tuning for their Africa club competitions.
Yanga face Comoros’s Komorozine de Domoni on Saturday in the preliminary round, first leg match of the Africa Champions League at the National Stadium, while Azam will be up against Ferroviario de Beira of Mozambique.
Azam are now fine-tuning in the city ahead of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, first leg tie to be held at Chamazi Complex on Sunday.
While Simba need the three points at stake today to inch close to the summit of the league table, hosts Mtibwa Sugar seek victory to put their campaign back on track after a poor run in their last two matches.
The Morogoro-based outfit is placed fifth with 21 points, 15 adrift of leaders Azam, and nine behind Simba.
Mtibwa coach, Mecky Mexime warned yesterday that Simba should not expect an easy ride today.
His confidence stems from the fact that Mtibwa beat Simba 1-0 in a friendly match at the National Stadium a month or so ago.
Meanwhile, Simba are set to erect a club stadium at their 25 acre Bunju ‘B’ area in Dar es Salaam, it has been revealed.
Simba secretary general, Ezekiel Kamwaga confirmed yesterday that the club would have come up with the true image reflecting the structure by April 2014.
