- Simba won the first leg 1-0 in Dar es Salaam
- They will progress to the semis if they avoid defeat
- Simba have never qualified for the semis of the modern day CAF CL
In a tough hunting ground in Casablanca, Tanzanian giants Simba SC are confident of completing the job against defending champions Wydad Athletic Club when the two sides clash in the return leg of their CAF Champions League quarter final.
Simba won the first leg in Dar es Salaam last weekend 1-0, and they will only need to avoid defeat in North Africa to ensure passage to the semi-finals.
Head coach Roberto Oliveira however knows how difficult the job is up north.
“It is not going to be an easy match but we are ready. It is always difficult to play against Wydad in their stadium but the players are ready and up to the task,” the tactician said.
He added; “We have prepared very well for the game because we know what to expect. We have looked at areas we didn’t do well in the first leg and worked to improve and also looked at where Wydad were strong and we will be careful there.”
Must win situation for Wydad
The defending champions are in a must win situation to make the last four and head coach Juan Carlos Garrido will hope they can step up to the task and clinch a healthy win and progress.
A 1-0 win for Wydad will take the game to penalties as they will need a win of more than two goals to advance. Any win that sees both sides score but the difference is a single goal will see Simba progress on the away goal rule.
Meanwhile, more matches are lined up for this weekend, with mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa among the sides who are expected to easily earn a ticket to the semis.
The South African champions lead Algeria’s CR Belouizdad 4-1 from the first leg played in Algiers last week and playing at home, they only need to avoid defeat or in the least, even a 2-0 loss will still take them through.
However, coach Rulani Mokwena is not taking anything to chance despite carrying a healthy advantage from the first leg.
They can beat us – Mokwena says
“We have to know that they can beat us, and we have to be at our best. We have to know the quality that they have. Guendouz is a number one international for Algeria. Belkhther the right back is number one right back for Algeria. Laouafi is number one left back for Algeria. Their number five didn’t start but also there’s Draoui so you have about five to six internationals which shows you how complex this game can become if we don’t have the right approach from a psychological perspective,” the tactician said.
In the other matches, record champions Al Ahly will take a 2-0 advantage to the return tie against Raja Club Athletic in Casablanca. The Red Devils won the first leg at home in Cairo and will look to keep another fine run on enemy territory.
Last season, the two sides met at the same stage, Ahly winning 2-1 in the first leg in Cairo and drawing 1-1 in the return fixture in Casablanca.
Elsewhere, Tunisia’s Esperance carries with them a slim 1-0 advantage from their first leg away victory against Algeria’s KS Kabylie. Playing at home in Rades, Esperance can book a next round ticket by avoiding defeat.
A 1-0 loss will lead the game to penalties while a scoring win with a difference of one goal will see Kabylie progress on the away goal rule.
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