Yanga, Simba face tricky tests as rivals in CAF Cup revealed

Dar es Salaam. Traditional rivals, Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba SC face tricky fixtures in the African Champions League after a draw was conducted yesterday.

Yanga will face Djibouti’s Asas in the preliminary round and if they eliminate them, they will take on the winners between Otoho D’Oyo of Congo Brazzaville and Al-Merreikh of Sudan.

Yanga will play all of their matches away. Simba, who have been given a bye, will face the winners between African Stars of Namibia and Power Dynamo of Zambia.

KMKM of Zanzibar will play against St George of Ethiopia and the winners will meet the defending champions Al Ahly.

Simba will be facing Power Dynamo for the third time as in 2019 they clashed to mark Simba Day and the former won 3-1.

Again the two teams are expected to meet on August 6, this year, to mark the Day at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

According to the African Football governing body (CAF), the first legs of the preliminary round is set for between August 18 and 19 for while the return legs will be held between August 25 and 26.

Another qualifying round of matches has been scheduled to take place between September 15 and 16, and the return legs between September 29 and 20.

Group stage matches will start from September 24 to March 2 next year, while the first legs of quarter-finals are set between March 29 and 30 while the second legs between April 5 and 6.

Semifinals are set to start between April 19 and 20 for the first legs, return legs are scheduled for April 26 and 27, and the final will be on May 19 for the first leg and May 26 for the return leg.

Speaking with The Citizen, football tactician Abel Mtweve said both teams are supposed to take all the matches seriously since football has advanced in many countries.

He said Djibouti have attained good development in football and have managed to recruit good players.

As of Simba, Mtweve said they need to be very keen on their opponents, who seem to be strong as per the history of the team in the CAF competitions.

“Power Dynamo of Zambia and African Stars of Namibia are also good teams. Simba should not underestimate any of them as they will be targeting to stop one of the African giants,” said Mtweve.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, Azam FC will be facing Bahir Dar of Ethiopia in the preliminary round and if they kick them out, they will meet Club Africain of Tunisia.

Singida Fountain Gate will face JKU of Zanzibar and the winners will meet Future of Egypt. The first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round is set for August 20 while the return leg for August 27. The first leg of the second round will be held on September 17 while the return leg is set for October 1.

Group stage matches will start from November 26 to March 3 next year, while quarter-finals are set for March 31 and 30 for the first legs, and the second legs between on April 7 and 6.

Semifinals are set to start between April 21 and 20 for the first legs while return legs are scheduled for April 28, and the final will be held on May 10 for the first leg and May 17 for the return leg.