Simba hope for home comforts in dream tie against Al Ahly

• The stadium is already sold out for the game
• This will be the first match of the inaugural African Football League
• Simba has beaten Ahly twice in Dar es Salaam

Simba SC head coach Roberto ‘Robertinho’ Oliveira says the team is counting on its home support as they look to down Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the first leg of their quarter final encounter of the inaugural African Football League.

The match will be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in the capital Dar es Salaam, and already tickets are almost sold out for the duel. This is welcome news for the Brazilian tactician, who says they will hinge on the push from their fans to overcome the tough Ahly side.

“We want our fans to come out and it is important for us. We will play with heart. I believe in our capacity and strategy for the game. It will be a huge advantage for us to play with 12 men, with the fans in the stands pushing us,” the coach said.

He says they expect a tough encounter against Ahly, who he says are a force to reckon with in African football but his team is ready to face off with them as they also believe they are one of the biggest teams in Africa.

Ahly a club with experience

Simba SC head coach Roberto Oliveira chats with striker Saido Ntibanzokiza.

“Ahly is a good club with a lot of experience playing in the Champions League. Simba is also a big club and now number seven in Africa. We respect our opponents and they need to respect us too,” said the coach.

He added; “We want to win every game and this is a big moment not just for Simba, but Tanzanian football as well. Our objective is to win and make a good performance.”

He has called on his players to go onto the pitch with heart and determination, and remains confident they can bag a win in Dar to ease the burden of the return leg.

“Confidence in the team, personality and talent. These are three important points for winning one game in football. You have big clubs who on the match day, do not have the confidence. I have worked a lot on this because you need to believe in your capacity and with that you have a good chance for winning,” the coach said.

Meanwhile, Simba SC skipper John Raphael Bocco has termed it as an honour for his side to be competing in the innaugural edition of the African Football League.

“This is an honor for Simba and Tanzanian football to play in this tournament and more so, to host the first game here in Dar. For us as players we want to grab this opportunity to give our best and represent the Tanzanian flag,” Bocco said.

Players motivated to go all out 

Simba SC players Che Malone Fondo and Willy Esomba Onana during training

He says the players are motivated to go all out and make a good performance, noting that they have prepared well over the last fortnight and their confidence is high, hoping to get a win.

“We know we are up for a big and tough game, coming up against a team with lots of experience. We want to go all out for a win especially noting that we are playing at home,” Bocco said.

He added; “Such games are usually a motivation in themselves for players because we all want to go out and show what we can do as a team. We have good players and a team with a blend of young and experienced players and the focus is one, to go onto the pitch and win. We are not 11 players on the pitch but a team.”