Simba face do-or-die CAF rematch against Wydad

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s envoys in the African Champions League, Simba SC, today face an uphill task against Wydad Athletic Club at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.

The second leg of the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League has been scheduled to kickoff at 10pm Tanzanian time, and Simba head coach Roberto Oliviera, alias Robertinho has said they will play with determination in order to come out with a good result. In the first leg, Simba won 1-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, and the Tanzanian envoys need a draw of any kind in order to advance.

The encounter will be officiated by Chadian referee Alhadi Allaou Mahamat, who will be at the centre, while his assistants are Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue from Cameroon and Issa Yaya, also from Chad. The fourth official is Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail from Sudan.

The winners of the match will meet the winners between Mamelodi Sundwns of South Africa and Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria. Already Mamelodi Sundowns won 4-1 away in the first leg.

Other matches in the CAF Champions League will see Raja Club Athletic taking on Al Ahly while Esperance de Tunis facing JS Kabylie. In the first leg, Al Ahly won 2-0 at home.

The winners between Kabylie and Esperance will face the winners between Al Ahly and Raja Club Athletic. The first legs will be held between May 12 and 13, while the return legs will be held between May 19 and 20.

Robertinho said they are expecting to face a strong opposition from Wydad, who are the defending champions of the competition. The Brazilian tactician said all of his players are in good shape to face their Moroccan opponents, despite the cold weather. "We are facing a challenging task as we play away against a team with experience in international competitions." I am proud of my players, who, I believe, will not let Tanzanians down," said Robertinho. Simba assistant captain Mohammed "Tshabalala" Hussein said they are ready to fight till the last drop of their sweat in the encounter, aiming to sail through to the semis of the competition.

"It is not going to be an easy match because even Wydad are targeting to  register victory as we are, we will fight for the club and for the country as well" said Tshabalala. He explained that Wydad are a strong team, but, he added, there is no need of getting worried because they will play with determination. "In the group stage, we played against Raja and lost both matches.  Raja are stronger than Wydad, but we want to prove our worth in Africa by eliminating the defending champions," he said.