Robertinho optimistic Simba can beat Al Ahly in AFL clash

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania giants Simba face a do-or-die affair against Al Ahly of Egypt today in the return leg of the African Football League (AFL) encounter at the Cairo International Stadium.

The match has been scheduled to start from 5pm Tanzania time, and Simba’s head coach, Roberto Oliveira, alias Robertinho, is optimistic about eliminating the African giants and qualifying for the semifinals.

In the first match, the two teams recorded a 2-2 draw at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Simba need any victory to qualify for the next round of the competition, while Al Ahly need a barren or 1-1 draw in order to qualify for the next round. If the teams draw 2-2, the winner would be determined through a penalty shootout.

The winner will meet the winner between Mamelodi Sundowns and Petro Atletico of Luanda.

Robertinho said that all players are in top shape and ready to fight hard in the encounter, which is expected to be the most thrilling one.

“We have no injuries, and the good news is that there is no difference in climate. We are in a climate which is hot, like what we are experiencing in Dar es Salaam. My players are in top morale ahead of the encounter,” said Robertinho.

He said all the mistakes they made in the first leg have been rectified, and they can expect wonderful results.

“It is not over until it’s over, we managed to record a 2-2 draw at our home ground, and we can do the same or record a victory at their home ground. We need to be very keen on the return leg,” he said.

Robertinho also called on his players to forget about the previous result and instead focus on the rematch.

“There are certain things that we have to improve on ahead of the encounter. I am sure my players will apply,” he said. Meanwhile, Chilean Marcelo Allende opened the scoring as Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won 2-0 at Petro Luanda of Angola on Saturday in the AFL quarterfinal first leg.

Allende struck on 67 minutes, and substitute Thapelo Maseko netted after 80 minutes at the Estadio 11 de Novembre in Luanda. Argentine Junior Mendieta passed for Allende to fire past goalkeeper Hugo Marques from close range and end the stalemate.

Maseko had been on the pitch just one minute when he sprang an offside trap, rounded Marques, and scored from a tight angle.

The momentum swung towards the South African visitors in the second half after Petro controlled the opening 45 minutes.

Deivi ‘Gilberto’ Vieira missed a great chance to put the home side ahead three minutes before halftime when his weakly struck penalty was blocked by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. The clubs meet again in Pretoria today, with Sundowns virtually assured of advancing to the semi-finals.