Tanzania giants eye CAF CL progress

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA’s football titans, Simba SC and Young Africans SC are gearing up for critical encounters this weekend, as they chase spots in the prestigious CAF Champions League group stage.

The stakes are high, the spotlight intense and the pressure immense as both clubs are stepping onto foreign soil with one mission – to bring home an early advantage in the first leg of the second preliminary round.

Simba SC, the red-clad giants from Msimbazi Street, travelled to Eswatini where they will face Nsingizini Hotspurs FC on Sunday at the Somhlolo National Stadium.

While the Hotspurs are relative newcomers on the continental scene, they are no strangers to upsetting the odds having ousted Malawi’s Mafco FC in the previous round with a 2-1 aggregate win.

The Swati, known for their compact defending and quick counter attacks, will be banking on home support and altitude advantage in Lobamba. Simba, however, arrive with firepower and experience.

Simba’s General Manager Dimitar Pantev has confirmed a 22-man squad for the away leg.

The traveling party includes goalkeepers Yakoub Suleiman and Hussein Abel, while the defensive wall will be manned by the likes of Shomari Kapombe, Karaboue Chamou and Rushine De Reuck, who will be vital in keeping Nsingizini’s attackers quiet.

Simba’s midfield is a blend of youth and maturity, featuring Mzamiru Yassin, Kibu Denis and South African maestro Neo Maema, alongside tenacious talents like Elie Mpanzu and Jean Charles Ahoua.

Upfront, the Red Giants are placing their hopes in Jonathan Sowah, Steven Mukwala and Seleman Mwalimu, who will be expected to penetrate the Hotspurs’ backline with pace and precision.

Yet, Simba will be without key names – midfield dynamo Mohammed Bajaber and firstchoice goalkeeper Moussa Camara who remain sidelined with injuries.

Across the border, Yanga will take on Silver Strikers tomorrow at Bingu National Stadium in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.

The Malawian giants, who boast a rich history in their domestic league, dispatched Equatorial Guinea’s FC Futuro Kings in the first preliminary round and have been revitalised under new technical leadership.

Known for their organised build-up play and disciplined midfield, Silver Strikers will be hoping to exploit their home turf and the chemistry of seasoned players like Stain Davie and Chikondi Kamanga.

ALSO READ: Tanzanian duo in key CAF ties

But they face a Yanga side built on hunger, momentum and continental ambition.

Coach Romain Folz has summoned a 24-man squad, loaded with experience and raw talent.

In goal, Djigui Diarra leads a trio of trusted keepers, supported by defenders such as Lassine Kouma, Mohamed Hussein and Frank Assink, forming a backline designed to absorb pressure and launch fast transitions.

In midfield, Balla Conte, Mudathir Yahya, and Ivorian import Pacome Zouzoua are tasked with dictating tempo, while the striking force includes lethal options like Prince Dube, Maxi Nzengeli and Andy Boyeli.

However, Yanga’s preparations have been affected by injuries.

Talented forward Clement Mzize and Celestin Ecua miss the trip due to injuries, while key defender Dickson Job remains out after sustaining an injury while on national duty with the Taifa Stars during the World Cup qualifier against Zambia.

Both Simba and Yanga are acutely aware that an away goal or two could be the key to unlocking the group stage door, where Africa’s elite clubs battle under the bright lights of the CAF Champions League.

The return leg for Yanga will take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam in two weeks’ time, a fortress where the Jangwani boys will look to finish the job.

Simba will also host Nsingizini Hotspurs in a reverse fixture set for the same period and venue and they will count on their passionate Msimbazi faithful to roar them forward