Simba clash with Wydad in must win CAF Champions League encounter

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian envoys in the African Champions League, Simba, today face a must-win encounter against Wydad Athletic Club at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The match has been scheduled to kick off at 4pm and will be decisive for both teams battling to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

Another group B encounter will see the group leader, Asec Mimosas, host the second-place team, Jwaneng Galaxy, at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abijan, Ivory Coast.

So far, Simba are at the bottom of the standings with two points from three matches, while Wydad Club Athletic of Morocco are placed third with three points in group B.

A victory for Simba may take them to second place, depending on the results between Asec Mimosas and Jwaneng Galaxy.

Jwaneng Galaxy are placed second with four points, while Asec Mimosas are at the top with seven points. Arithmetically, all four teams have a chance to qualify for the knockout stage, but Asec Mimosas needs only three points to get assurance of qualifying for the next stage.

The situation makes today's matches decisive for all four teams ahead of the knockout stage. Simba also targets revenge against Wydad Club Athletic following a 1-0 loss in the past match held at the Marrakesh Stadium in Morocco. Simba head coach Abdelhak Benchikha has said they will play with determination to secure a victory.

Records show that the two teams have met four times since 2011, with Wydad having won three games and Simba having managed to win one match.

Benchikha said they are expecting to face strong opposition from Wydad. He noted that all of his players are in good shape to face their Moroccan opponents. Simba will miss the service of Sadio Kanoute, who is serving a one-match ban due to bookings.

"We are facing an uphill task as we play away against a team with experience in international competitions. I am proud of my players, who, I believe, will not let Tanzanians down," said Benchikha.

Simba assistant captain Mohammed "Tshabalala" Hussein said they are ready to fight till the last drop of their sweat in the encounter, aiming to sail through to the semis of the competition.

"It is not going to be an easy match because even if Wydad targets to register victory as we are, we will fight for the club and for the country as well," said Tshabalala.

He said all players are in top morale ahead of the encounter and target the best results. “We know the importance of the encounter and we are promsing to fight hard to win,” said Tshabalala.

On their part, Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca will be under new coach Faouzi Benzarti, the veteran Tunisian taking charge for a fourth spell at the team.

Benzarti replaces Adel Ramzi, whose contract has been terminated. Ramzi exits after Wydad picked up just one win from their opening three group matches to sit third in Group B.

Benzarti previously led the club to league and CAF Super Cup glory during his time in Casablanca.

He said that they are predicting tough match, but their traget is to do the best.

“We came here to compete and win, this is our crucial match and we are sure to do the best. It will be the tough match as Simba are also targeting the same,” he said.