Expect the best as CAF CL resumes

DAR ES SALAAM: THE jam packed action in the CAF Champions League (CAFCL) group stage is just around the corner after a long pause to allow easy flow of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

Football fraternity across Africa and beyond are eagerly waiting to see how the lucrative club football contest on the continent will resume as they have missed shoulder to shoulder action that accompanies it.

The good thing about CAF CL is that it accommodates even non-African players who are permitted to showcase their potential in this big competition thereby giving true meaning to football.

Being the most loved sport in the world, this game touches the souls of many people, no wonder people are willing to sleep late just because they do not want to miss the action of this marvellous sport.

After AFCON, the show down continues, and this time, it is CL as 16 teams are fighting for the opportunity to go past the group stage and reach the quarter finals where the level of caution doubles.

A lot needs to be learned from the completed AFCON tournament as the new champions Ivory Coast crawled from being the best loser to clinching the glittering silver ware. Reaching the last eight category of CAF CL is a big achievement for those clubs that excel to make such an important step because it is usually not easy to sneak through the group stage.

Tanzania envoys Simba and Young Africans are both better placed to make a break through into the quarter finals, a feat that is going to be prestigious for the entire country.

The fact that it is the first time for the duo to parade in the CL group phase has already made the nation proud as Tanzanians are walking with heads high, acknowledging their representatives for the good job well done.

With full backing from fans, there is no doubt that the two big teams in the country will proceed to the next stage which they deserve based on the quality they have in their respective squads.

Also, another promising fact concerning the two envoys is that they made several signings of new players in their squads during the mini transfer window to add X factor to their teams.

For Simba, their next match in group B falls on February 23rd against ASEC Mimosas to be played at Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny located in Abidjan, Ivory Coast with a capacity of 33,000 spectators.

The match brings together group leaders ASEC Mimosas who have accumulated 10 points from four matches against second placed Simba who have annexed 5 points after four encounters.

For the hosts, they have already qualified into the quarter finals after winning three games and securing one draw, as such, it is a very important match for Simba to generate maximum points on the day.

After the match, Abdelhak Benchikha’s men will wind up their group stage assignments with a home fixture by hosting Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana in a crucial game for the Reds.

Already, Simba declared that their target this season is to reach the semi finals of the Champions League, and so far they are on the right path to achieve that status which is going to be a big achievement for the Msimbazi street based side.

Similarly, Yanga is set to host CR Belouizdad at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on February 24th in their fifth group stage game of the competition.

It is a clash between the second placed Yanga with 5 points against the Algerian side who sit on the third slot courtesy of 4 points as each salivate to grasp essential three points to keep ascending the table.

After suffering a heavy 3-0 upset in their first away fixture of the contest versus CR Belouizdad, Miguel Gamondi’s men will be keen to disappoint the Algerian side by ensuring that they leave behind maximum points.

The match will be Yanga’s last home encounter in the Champions League as they will be compelled to make a long trip to face Egyptian giants Al Ahly on March 1st this year.

In their first leg meeting at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in the city, the game elapsed in a 1-1 balance as Yanga netted late to salvage one point, thanks to a superb strike by Pacome Zouzoua.

All in all, best wishes to both Simba and Yanga as they do whatever it takes to make it to the next round of the CAF CL to continue flying high the national flag.