Government urges Yanga, Simba to play with determination in CAF duels
What you need to know:
- Culture, Arts, and Sports Ministry Permanent Secretary Gerson Msigwa stressed that the two teams need to be cautious, saying that their opponents are also targeting to qualify for the same stage of the competition.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s envoys in the continental club championships, Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba SC, have been urged to play with determination to qualify for the knockout stage.
The call was made by Culture, Arts, and Sports Ministry Permanent Secretary Gerson Msigwa during an interview with The Citizen yesterday.
Msigwa stressed that the two teams need to be cautious, saying that their opponents are also targeting to qualify for the same stage of the competition.
Currently, the two teams are in Algeria preparing for their matches.
Yanga, representing Tanzania in the CAF Champions League, will face MC Alger this Saturday at the Ali La Pointe Stadium in Douera, with the kick-off scheduled at 10pm East African Time.
Yanga need a positive result following a 0-2 loss to Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan in their opening match held recently at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The Jangwani Street giants are now at the bottom of Group A without a point while Al Hilal lead the group with three points. MC Alger and TP Mazembe of DR Congo are tied in the second position with one point each.
Simba, competing in the CAF Confederation Cup, will play against SC Constantine this Sunday at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine, with the match set to start at 7pm East African Time.
The Msimbazi Street giants are at the top with three points in Group A following their 1-0 win over Angola’s Bravos do Maquis in their opening match held recently at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. CS Constantine tie with Simba with the same number of points following their 1-0 win away over CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.
“I urge the players to fight hard since they are going play away. I call on them not to let us down as they are at a crucial stage. It is a well-known fact that all teams are in top form, but they need to stay focused during this critical phase. I, along with all my fellow Tanzanians, hope that both teams will qualify for the knockout stage and make new history for our country,” said Msigwa.
He further noted that the matches are vital, and the players will need to be on alert throughout the games.
Msigwa also highlighted that President Samia Suluhu Hassan supports the teams wholeheartedly and has pledged to continue motivating them by offering Sh5 million per goal, a reward that will double to Sh10 million during the knockout stage.
