Simba face tricky test of Asec in Champions League match
What you need to know:
- The group B fixture, which is scheduled to kick off at 4 pm, will be officiated by Egyptian referee Mohamed Marouf Eid Mansour
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s envoys, Simba SC, today host Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast in the first leg of the CAF Champions League at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The group B encounter, which is scheduled to kick off at 4pm, will be officiated by Egyptian referee Mohamed Marouf Eid Mansour.
Simultaneously, a group B match kicking off at 10pm will see Wydad Club Athletic of Morocco hosting Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, Morocco.
This marks the third encounter between Simba and Asec Mimosas in their history.
The Tanzanian side secured a 3-1 victory over Asec Mimosas on February 13, 2022, in the CAF Confederation Cup.
However, Asec managed to revenge on March 20, 2022, with a convincing 3-0 victory in the same competition.
Simba acting head coach Daniel Cadena said they are expecting to face a stiff challenge from Asec Mimosas who are among the formidable teams in the competition.
Cadena expressed optimism, stating, "It is going to be a tough game, but we are targeting victory."
He said his team is ready to compete for the maximum three points, insisting that he trusts his committed players.
Notable players in the Simba lineup include Kibu Dennis, Clatous Chama, John Bocco, Saido Ntibazonkiza, Henoc Inonga Baka, Che Fondoh Malone and others.
"We need to do our best in the encounter against Asec Mimosas. We have trained well, and my players are in high spirit," he said.
He stressed the importance of playing with determination to secure victory against Mimosas, who also target to win at the away venue.
Asec head coach Julien Chevalier expressed their readiness for the game, targeting to come out with a positive result.
Recognising the challenge ahead, Chevalier acknowledged that facing Simba is not an easy task, considering they are up against one of the giants in the league.
He emphasized the need for his players to be well-focused throughout the match.
Football enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of this group B fixture, as both teams vie for a crucial early advantage in the CAF Champions League campaign.
