- Simba have not lost to Ahly in their last two meetings in Dar
- This is the first time Simba are playing in the quarter finals
- Al Ahly are the defending champions
Tanzanian giants Simba SC have concluded their training camp in Zanzibar ahead of this weekend’s CAF Champions League quarter final first leg match against reigning champions Al Ahly in Dar es Salaam.
Wekundu wa Msimbazi had camped for a week in the island nation of Zanzibar during the international break, to prepare for what is expected to be a blockbuster duel at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Right back and assistant captain Shomari Kapombe believes the time they have spent together in Zanzibar is priceless and has helped them prepare better for the duel.
“It was a good period to stay together and also a perfect chance to build team chemistry and togetherness in preparation for the big match. As players, we have faith in each other that we will do well. We want to urge our fans to come out in large numbers and support us to get good results,” stated Kapombe.
Simba and Ahly are meeting in Dar es Salaam again, just a few months after they faced off in the quarter finals of the inaugural edition of the African Football League. The match ended 2-2 in Dar es Salaam while the return tie in Cairo ended 1-1, Ahly going through to the semis on the away goal rule.
Simba are confident that they have what it takes to make history on their first ever sojourn in the last eight of the Champions League, and will eye a favorable result at home to progress to the semi-finals.
Already, tickets for the game which will be played Friday night have been sold out as anticipation grows in the Tanzanian capital for the epic duel.
Simba coach Benchikha expects tough outing
Simba SC players training at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO/Simba
Head coach Abdelhak Benchikha says the team is ready for the match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, and will ensure they get a good result on their home turf.
“This is a big game not just for Simba as a club but also Tanzanian football. We expect good results because we know that we have prepared well and we have taken all necessary steps to ensure we are ready for the match,” Benchikha said, speaking ahead of the duel.
He adds; “We know that Al Ahly is a big team and with good history in African football and definitely they will give us a difficult match. But we will approach that game with confidence and not fear.”
His sentiments are shared by captain Kapombe, who says the players have some massive confidence heading into the game, especially looking at how they have fared against Ahly every time they have come to Dar es Salaam.
“We know as players that it will be a difficult match and we know what is expected of us. We have confidence in our preparation and confidence in what the coaches have taught us ahead of the game. We have a strategy heading into the game and we will do our best to execute it,” Kapombe explained.
Benchikha will be coming up against Ahly for the second time this season, having been at the helm of reigning CAF Confederation Cup champions USM Alger when they beat the Red Devils 1-0 in the season-opening CAF Super Cup.
But, the Algerian coach says this will be a different ballgame altogether.
Ahly know it won’t be easy in Dar
Al Ahly players training at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO/Al Ahly
“There is a big difference between these two matches. The Super Cup is just one game but we have two games for this one. Definitely the approach will be different and we are going there to play and win at home,” he said.
Meanwhile, defending champions Ahly know well that it will be a difficult outing in Dar es Salaam, noting they have not won in their last two visits to the Tanzanian capital. On top of the passionate crowd and a good Simba side, Ahly also expect the weather to play a role but coach Marcel Koller says the record African champions are ready.
“We are playing the match amidst difficult weather conditions, with high temperatures and humidity in Tanzania, but despite this, we must give our best on the field,” the Swiss coach said.
He added; “Simba is one of the strong teams and has a good group of players. For us, we have some influential absences, but there is confidence in every member of the team to compensate for the absences and injuries.”
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