Why govt did not arrange same flight for Yanga, Simba to Algeria

Dar es Salaam. The government has stated that there were no requests for flight support from Tanzania’s envoys in the continental club championships, Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba, to Algeria for their group-stage matches.

The statement was made by Culture, Arts, and Sports ministry permanent secretary Gerson Msigwa during an interview with The Citizen yesterday.

“We cannot act on their behalf. They were supposed to submit an official request to the government, and we would have taken action on the matter.

“This would have simplified their travel and avoided multiple connections. It is evident that the clubs’ officials had already made their own arrangements,” said Msigwa.

Earlier, Msigwa had announced plans to facilitate both teams’ travel to Algeria on a single aircraft to ease their logistics for the matches.

Yanga, representing Tanzania in the CAF Champions League, will face MC Alger this Saturday at Ali La Pointe Stadium in Douera, with the kick-off scheduled at 10pm East African time.

For their part, Simba, competing in the CAF Confederation Cup, will play against SC Constantine this Sunday at Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine and the match will start at 7pm East African time.

Msigwa reiterated that no official request had been made by the clubs to the government or through the National Sports Council (NSC).

So far, Yanga have already departed for Algeria via Dubai aboard an Emirates plane.

However, Simba are expected to travel to Algeria today for Sunday’s group-stage match against CS Constantine without five players.

The team’s contingent, consisting of 22 players and officials, will travel aboard a Turkish Airlines flight, according to the team’s Information Officer, Ahmed Ally.

Ally revealed that five players — Yusuf Kagoma, Valentino Mashaka, Yona Abel, Ayoub Lackred, and David Kameta, also known as Duchu — will not be part of the squad due to technical reasons, including injuries.

“The remaining 22 players are in top form ahead of the match. It will be a long trip, involving a connection in Istanbul and a one-and-a-half-hour flight to Constantine. Our advance officials are already in Constantine to ensure all preparations, including accommodation and training facilities, are in place,” said Ally.

The team’s Information Officer added that Simba are determined to achieve the best possible result in what promises to be a challenging encounter.

Simba currently lead Group A with three points following their 1-0 victory over Bravos do Maquis of Angola in the opening match. They are tied on points with CS Constantine, who also recorded a 1-0 away win over CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.

The current standings make this match a critical one, as the winner will be in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.