Envoys ready CAF return legs

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA’S football envoys, Simba SC and Azam FC, are both in action today as they look to secure places in the next round of continental club competitions.

The two clubs are set for crucial second-leg encounters on home soil, with both holding slim first-leg advantages.

Simba SC will be looking to finish the job against Botswana’s Gaborone United in the return leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round, taking place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Caretaker Coach Hemed Suleiman is upbeat about his side’s chances, despite acknowledging the challenge ahead.

“It will be a tough match, just like the first leg,” said Suleiman.

He added: “But we are confident. Our form has been good and Simba has a strong history in these competitions. That gives us belief.”

Simba claimed a crucial 1-0 away win in Botswana last weekend, courtesy of Elie Mpanzu’s goal. The result gives the Tanzanian giants a narrow edge going into the home fixture, which will be played behind closed doors due to CAF regulations.

Suleiman added that the team had used the days in between wisely to correct past mistakes and finetune preparations.

“We have had a good camp and worked on the challenges we noticed in Gaborone. We are ready, there is no pressure. We want to give our fans the result they deserve, even if they won’t be on the stands,” he said.

Team Captain Shomari Kapombe echoed the coach’s sentiments but warned against complacency.

“What happened in Gaborone has happened. This is a new game,” said Kapombe. “Yes, we have an advantage, but this is football we have to fight again. Our only goal is to win.”

Elsewhere in Dar es Salaam, Azam FC will host Al Merriekh Bentiu of South Sudan in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary tie at the Azam Complex at Chamazi. Azam won the first leg 2-0 in Juba and now have one foot in the next round.

Head Coach Florent Ibenge was clear that his side will not rest on their laurels.

“We are going to treat this like the first leg. We cannot afford to be comfortable,” Ibenge told reporters. “Yes, we did a good job in Juba, but the most important task is to finish the job. Our target is the group stage and we are taking this very seriously.”

Azam’s solid away win puts them in a commanding position, but Ibenge insisted focus and discipline will be key.

“If we think the job is done, we could fail. So we approach this game with full concentration and aim to play our best football.”