Yanga, Simba to meet tough battles in CAF’ Groups stage

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s representatives in the continental club championships, Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba, face a daunting task as they prepare to battle formidable opponents in their quest to qualify for the quarterfinals, also known as the knockout stage, of their respective competitions.

Yanga, having qualified for the CAF Champions League group stage for the second consecutive year, find themselves in Pot 2 alongside CR Belouizdad of Algeria, Raja Club Athletic (Morocco), and Pyramids of Egypt.

According to CAF regulations, Yanga cannot play against teams in the same group but may face one team from Pot 1, which features defending champions Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and TP Mazembe (DR Congo).

In addition to a Pot 1 team, Yanga’s group will also face one opponent from Pot 3. The possible contenders are Al Hilal (Sudan), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Sagrada Esperança (Angola), and AS FAR (Morocco).

Lastly, Yanga’s group will face one team from Pot 4, with possible opponents being MC Alger (Algeria), Djoliba (Mali), AS Maniema Union (DR Congo), and Stade d’Abidjan (Ivory Coast).

Historically, Yanga have crossed paths with the clubs from Pot 1 in past CAF competitions, but many of these teams have since bolstered their squads, making them even tougher adversaries.

New faces that Yanga might encounter this time include Orlando Pirates, AS FAR, Djoliba, AS Maniema Union, and Stade d’Abidjan.

The CAF Champions League group stage matches are slated to take place from October to December 2024, followed by the knockout stages (quarterfinals) in March, semifinals in April, and the final in May 2025.

Meanwhile, Simba, Tanzania’s other top football powerhouse, have secured a place in Pot 1 of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Joining them in this pot are Zamalek (Egypt), RS Berkane (Morocco), and USM Alger (Algeria).

CAF rules dictate that teams in the same pot will not face each other in the group stage, which means that Simba will avoid these heavyweights in the initial phase.

However, the road ahead is still challenging, as Simba may face one team from Pot 2. Potential opponents include familiar foes like ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast), whom they clashed with in last season’s CAF Champions League.

Simba and ASEC Mimosas have played four matches since 2022, each securing one win and drawing twice, indicating a well-matched rivalry.

Other Pot 2 teams that could be drawn against Simba are Stade Malien (Mali), Al Masry (Egypt), and CS Sfaxien (Tunisia).

The remaining two teams in Simba’s group will be drawn from Pot 3, which features a variety of clubs, including Enyimba FC (Nigeria), ASC Jaraaf (Senegal), CS Constantine (Algeria), Bravos do Maquis, Lunda Sul (Angola), Orapa United (Botswana), Black Bulls (Mozambique), and Stellenbosch (South Africa).

Among these, Al Masry is a team that Simba knows well, having faced them in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup, where Simba were eliminated on the away goals rule.

Enyimba FC also has history with Simba, as they played each other in the 2003 CAF Champions League.