African Football League preps hots up, brings 200 delegates

Dar es Salaam. Top African football governing body (CAF) and FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, will lead football stakeholders in the grand opening of the African Football League on Friday.

The day will see Tanzania’s giant, Simba, facing Al Ahly of Egypt from 7pm at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Speaking with The Citizen yesterday, the Director of Sports Development in the Minister for Culture, Arts, and Sports, Ali Mayay, said that they are expecting more than 200 delegations from African continent and globally to attend the opening ceremony.

Mayay said all African football federations’ top officials will attend the opening ceremony, including top officials from CAF, to be led by President Patrice Potsepe.

He said CAF will be with its secretariat, while FIFA President Infantino will be accompanied with top officials as well.

“So far, all five-star hotels in Dar Salaam have been booked to accommodate all delegations. We are expecting to have a historic occasion during the day, and I call football stakeholders in the country to continue buying tickets to attend the historical moment,” said Mayay.

Mayay said all preparations ahead of the day are going well, and they are very proud to get the chance of being the first country to stage the opening match of the tournament.

“This is a top honour to our country and would be written in the book of history. We need to show our hospitality before and after the opening ceremony,” he said.

Mayay also said that prominent figures to attend the encounter would be known later after receiving official names.

“Current, who I have mentioned, are ready for the opening match ceremony. If there are others, they will be communicated later,” he said.

Meanwhile, Simba head coach Roberto Oliveira, alias Robertinho, exuded confidence that his team would do the best in the encounter.

Robertinho said it will be the toughest match, but he is proud of the commitment shown by his players, who are yet to lose a single match since the start of this year’s season.

“In fact, the Msimbazi Street lads target victory ahead of the encounter. We will be facing a tough side; I am happy with the progress in the training session, and my players are ready to face the African football giants,” said Robertinho.

He said they are ready to make Tanzania football fans happy during the encounter.

In other developments, Egyptian giants Al Ahly arrive today ahead of the encounter.