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Simba coach charges on test

Simba Sports Club’s head coach Zdravko Logarusic talks to his players during a training session at Kinesi grounds in Dar es Salaam yesterday. PHOTO | MICHAEL MATEMANGA

What you need to know:

This will be Logarusic’s first match as Simba head coach. The Croatian has signed a six-month contract with the Msimbazi Street club. Simba have also drafted in former Young Africans Ghanaian goalkeeper Yaw Berko, Kenyan defender Donald Mosoti and goalie Ivo Mapunda (formerly with Gor Mahia of Kenya) ahead of the second round of this season’s Vodacom Premier League

Dar es Salaam. Coach Zdravko Logarusic anticipates a great encounter against Zanzibar champions KMKM as he dreams of making a bright start as Simba Sports Club trainer. The Mainland giants go head-to-head with KMKM in a friendly match at the National Stadium this afternoon.

This will be Logarusic’s first match as Simba head coach. The Croatian has signed a six-month contract with the Msimbazi Street club. Simba have also drafted in former Young Africans Ghanaian goalkeeper Yaw Berko, Kenyan defender Donald Mosoti and goalie Ivo Mapunda (formerly with Gor Mahia of Kenya) ahead of the second round of this season’s Vodacom Premier League.

KMKM, who have been in the city since Friday, have vowed to give the Msimbazi Reds a run for their money in the eagerly awaited encounter. For the Isles outfit, the match will serve as a warm up for next year’s Africa Champions League.

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Head coach Ali Bushir said yesterday that he was optimistic his players will silence Simba fans in today’s showdown. “Our team is not just a load of good players. We have secured a ticket for the Africa Champions League because we have great spirit and a willingness to not be beaten, and that is important,” said Bushir. “We have a huge task ahead of us and as you know the entire country is expectant of good results (in the Champions League)’’.

“I believe that a victory against Simba will put my players in the perfect frame of mind ahead of the Champions League,” he said.

Meanwhile, Logarusic has expressed his delight after the Tanzanian club signed Gor Mahia duo Donald Mosoti and custodian Ivo Mapunda. Logarusic said yesterday that the two are experienced and will stabilize the club’s backline during the second leg of the Vodacom Premier League. “The two are good signings and I’m happy that we managed to bring them on board. I always look for players that I have worked with in the past, people whom I know will do the job well,” Logarusic said.

“I wanted to sign some more Kenyan players but the transfer window closes on the 15th of this month (today) so we’ll just have to try next time,” he added.

Simba are fourth in the Premier League log and are eager to do well during the second leg.

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