Never say never, we are on hunting mission -Simba

TANZANIA: SIMBA Chairman of the Board of Directors, Salim Abdallah ‘Try Again” has said they are on a ‘hunting mission’ as they go out to face the CAF Champions League defending champions, Al Ahly on Friday.

The two teams interface in the second leg quarter-finals match of the CAF Champions League (CAF CL) at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt tomorrow, with Al Ahly heading into the match with a goal advantage.

Despite suffering a 0-1 defeat in the first leg clash at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam last Friday, the country’s envoys remain upbeat to make a comeback and slide into the semifinals.

“We are hunters, we are in the bush hunting, as such, we are going to fight and we believe that we have reasons to win,” remarked Abdallah on Wednesday in the city before jetting off to Egypt.

“We are going to play against a team we know very well, the coach has seen the setbacks in the team and most importantly, our players have enough morale ahead of the game. “As management, we have played our part…it is up to Simba members, fans, and all Tanzanians to pray for their team to do well, because we are representing the whole nation.”

Moreover, he pointed out that they have not given up hope, as they are fighters and are heading to battle, insisting the game is still on and “we are set to fight.” On his part, the club’s Media and Communication Manager, Ahmed Ally, revealed that Coach Abdelhak Benchikha and his entire technical bench have sorted out some of the flaws that emerged in the first leg match.

The full 23-player Simba squad deployed for the Cairo mission comprises goalkeepers Ayoub Lakred, Ally Salim, and Hussein Abel.

Defenders are Shomari Kapombe, Israel Mwenda, David Kameta, Henock Inonga, Chemalone Fendoh, Kennedy Juma, and Hussein Kazi. As for midfielders, Simba have Fabrice Ngoma, Babacar Sarr, Mzamiru Yassin, Essomba Onana, Luis Miquissone, Abdallah Hamis, Clatous Chama, Sadio Kanoute, Saidi Ntibazonkiza and Kibu Denis for service. Strikers are Par Omar Jobe and Freddy Micheal.

The squad landed safely in Cairo morning, and according to the information supplied on Simba App, they are set to conduct the last training session at Cairo International Stadium today from 11:00 pm, the kick-off time of the game.