Simba hunt for first ever continental semi-final appearance

• Simba are playing the quarter finals of continental football for the third time
• The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is already sold out for the tie
• Defending champions Berkane face Egypt’s Al Masry

Tanzanian giants Simba SC are hunting for a first ever appearance in a continental semi-final when they take on South African side Orlando Pirates in the quarter finals of the CAF Confederation Cup at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi have qualified for the quarter finals of continental football for the third time in a row, having played in the Champions League quarters over the last two consecutive campaigns.

“We know it is going to be a difficult game but we will do everything we can to ensure we win. We are playing at home and we will rely on the support from our fans to get a good result and make the return leg easier for us,” said Pablo Franco, the Simba SC head coach.

An electric atmosphere is expected at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium with the 60,000 tickets allocated for this game already sold out.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi are looking to take charge of the tie early enough at home and know only too well the threat that comes with one of the most prolific attacks from the group stages, with Pirates having hit the back of the net 15 times in six matches.

This will be the first time the two clubs are meeting in continental football.

Pirates who have reached the Confederation Cup quarter finals for the second consecutive time will hope to advance more this time round.

-Al Ittihad vs Al Ahli Tripoli, Martyrs of Benina Stadium, Benina-

Al Ittihad players celebrate after sealing qualification

Elsewhere, Ittihad and Tripoli face off in a mouth watering Libyan Derby, in what is already building up as the highlight of the last eight.

Though the two sides have faced each other locally, it will be the first time that they clash in the continent and each will hope to be at their best and get the advantage from the first leg.

While on the pitch it is a duel between two Libyan teams, on the touchline, there will also be another derby of sorts with two Tunisian coaches, Mohamed Kouki of Al Ittihad and Fathi Jebal of Tripoli squaring out in the battle of tactic wits.

Ittihad are playing the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, Ahli Tripoli are in the last eight for the first time ever, but this will be their second time in a continental quarter final having reached the last eight of the Champions League in 2017.

Al Masry vs RS Berkane, Borg el Arab Stadium, Alexandria

In Alexandria, Berkane are looking to maintain the hunt for the defence of their title, but will come up against a tough Masry side. The Moroccan side clinched their first ever continental title last season and having topped their group, beam in confidence against the Egyptians.

Masry on the other end are playing in the quarter-finals for a second consecutive season and are looking to progress to the last four for the first time since 2018 when they beat Algerian side USM Alger to go throigh past the last eight.

This will be the fifth meeting between these two sides in continental football. The balances are evenly poised with each winning one of the previous four and the remaining two ending in draws.

-Pyramids vs TP Mazembe, June 30 Stadium, Cairo-

TP Mazembe in a past match

Egyptian giants Pyramids, losing finalists from the 2019-20 season and Congolese supremos TP Mazembe will be clashing in continental football for the first time ever, but promises to be a cracker of a match with the first leg scheduled for Cairo.

Having reached back to back semis for the last two seasons, Pyramids now want to go one further and claim a continental title, and a win against a team of Mazembe’s calibre will be a huge statement of intent.

Mazembe is one of the most decorated clubs in African football, having won the Champions League five times and the Confederation Cup twice.

They haven’t been as sharp over the last few seasons, but they have a chance to show that they can rise and fly back to the helm of African football.

The Ravens are looking towards qualification and a positive result in Cairo will be a massive step towards the realization of their dream.