EDITORIAL: It's defining moment for Simba sports club

Tanzania’s representatives in the ongoing African Champions League, Simba Sports Club, today play their final match in the Groups Stage against AS Vita Club from the DR Congo.

To be played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, the match is a do-or-die tussle for the two clubs seeking to qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition, which will feature eight club teams from across Africa.

Simba is ranked at the bottom of the Group-D score list of four teams, with six points. AS Vita are third, with seven points, and Al Ahly of Egypt is second, with seven points.

Leading the Group is JS Saoura of Algeria, with eight points.

Any of the four teams in the Group can qualify for the next stage of what is the most prestigious tourney in African football.

It is, therefore, the onus of Simba players to do their utmost to walk the talk of their pledge to their club leaders and fans – and also plant Tanzania’s footprint on the world soccer map.

Indeed, the two Tanzanian premier soccer clubs, Simba and Young Africans (Yanga), had reached the Groups stage in 2003 and 1998 respectively. But no Tanzanian club has ever reached the quarter-finals stage – let alone win the trophy.

This is despite Tanzania participating in the Championships year in, year out.

Simba players are hereby assured that Tanzanians are with them in spirit, in the fervent hope that they will trounce their opponents the way they trounced JS Saoura and Al Ahly – and qualify for the quarterfinals.

Soccer fans are urged to turn up in strength at the National Stadium and support Simba in this crucial encounter. After all, fans are regarded as the 12th player in soccer, and can be helpful to their team.

So, go Simba, GO send the Congolese packing!