Yanga, Simba depart for decisive CAF encounters

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's envoys in the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Champions League, Simba SC and Young Africans (Yanga), have confirmed their departure dates ahead of their crucial upcoming matches.

Yanga will depart today Wednesday January 8, 2025 for Mauritania ahead of Sunday’s crucial CAF Champions League encounter against Al Hilal Omdurman. Simba will leave tomorrow for Angola to face Bravos do Maquis in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Yanga’s travelling squad includes all registered players except Aziz Andambwile, who is yet to regain full fitness. Their match will take place at the Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Stadium, kicking off at 10pm East African time. 

Simba’s match is scheduled at 7 pm East African time at the Estadio Nacional Da Tundavala in Lubango, Angola.

Both teams must secure positive results to enhance their chances of advancing to the knockout stages of their respective competitions.

Yanga need victories in their final two group-stage matches to qualify for the CAF Champions League knockout stage for the second consecutive season. The Jangwani Street giants currently sit third in Group B with four points, trailing second-placed MC Alger, who have five points.

Al Hilal Omdurman have already secured their spot in the knockout stage. Yanga’s final group-stage game will be against MC Alger on January 18 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, kicking off at 4 pm.

Simba, on the other hand, require a positive result against Bravos do Maquis to secure a place in the CAF Confederation Cup knockout stage. The Msimbazi Street-based team is tied on nine points with group leaders CS Constantine of Algeria but trails on goal difference.

Simba have scored five goals and conceded two, giving them a +3 goal difference, while CS Constantine lead with a +5 goal difference, having scored nine goals and conceded four.

Bravos do Maquis, who currently sit third with six points, must win their remaining matches, including a 2-0 victory over Simba, to stay in contention.

However, if Simba secure even a draw against Bravos, they will automatically qualify for the knockout stage based on the head-to-head rule, having won the first leg 2-1 at home.

In this scenario, Simba will reach 10 points, and even a loss to CS Constantine in their final group match will not eliminate them.

Bravos’ victory over CS Sfaxien in their last game will also only allow them to reach 10 points, leaving Simba ahead due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.