APR face Simba in a must win Mapinduzi Cup match today
Simba players celebrate after scoring against Singida Fountain Gate during Mapinduzi Cup at the New Amaan Complex on Wednesday night. Simba won 2-0. Simba today play APR in another group stage match. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- This match is crucial for both teams as they still have a chance to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition. Simba have already secured a spot in the knockout stage by collecting six points from two matches.
Dar es Salaam. APR of Rwanda today face a must-win encounter against Simba in order to qualify for the knockout stage of the Mapinduzi Cup from Group B.
The two teams will clash at 8:15 pm at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar in the ongoing Mapinduzi Cup. In another match scheduled for today, Jamhuri of Pemba will face Jamus from scheduled to start from 4.15pm in Group C.
This match is crucial for both teams as they still have a chance to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition. Simba have already secured a spot in the knockout stage by collecting six points from two matches.
They won 3-1 against the already-eliminated JKU and later secured a 2-0 victory against Singida Fountain Gate. Singida Fountain Gate FC has already qualified for the knockout stage, also known as the quarterfinals.
APR are third with three points after winning against JKU and victory might take them at the top with six points or second place depending on their goal margin.
Simba’s assistant coach, Seleman Matola, predicts that the match against APR will be the toughest, but he remains optimistic about maintaining their winning streak.
Matola states that the players are in a good position and ready to give their best to finish with nine points. Despite facing tough opponents, Matola emphasizes the team's determination not to spoil their record against APR.
APR's head coach, Thierry Froger, expresses the team's goal of securing victory in the encounter to sail through to the next stage of the competition. Froger assures that the players are ready for the clash and promises to give their best, as victory will propel them into the knockout stage.
“We are facing a tough test as Simba is one of the strongest teams on the continent. We will play with determination to win,” said Froger.
Apart from Simba and Singida Fountain Gate, other teams that have already qualified into the knock stage are Azam FC who have collected seven points from three matches in group A and Young Africans (Yanga) who are from group C with six points. However, Yanga were yesterday night facing KVZ from 8.15pm.
