DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA Head Coach Robertinho Oliveira commended his players after scrambling into the group stage of the CAF Champions League (CAF CL), saying his club’s objective was amicably achieved.
The Msimbazi Street side made their fifth qualification of the Champions League last 16 after seeing off Power Dynamos of Zambia courtesy of an away goal rule following a 1-1 draw in a fiercely contested return leg match at Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
After a double header, the duo produced a 3-3 aggregate draw which was an advantage for Simba after scoring twice away at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia in the first leg duel that ended in 2-2 stalemate.
A late equaliser over the weekend proved enough for Simba to get back to what has now become a familiar dominion for the Tanzanian giants and the team’s Brazilian tactician Oliveira was more than pleased with the feat.
“Listen, I am happy with the fact that we have managed to enter the group stage of the Champions League and this was our objective.
“We worked hard to achieve this and I congratulate my players, management and all our fans who came in big numbers today (Sunday) to support us… together we have made it through,” Oliveira said.
Simba skipper Mohamed Hussein echoed his coach’s remarks, saying: “It was not easy but we made it to the group stage.”
For his side, Simba’s Burundian attacking midfielder Saido Ntibazonkiza was equally delighted at his team’s hard-earned qualification to the group stage, pleading to their fans to continue rallying behind their team even during tough moments.
“We know they love and are always behind their team. I ask them to be patient with the team because we always work hard to make them happy and we will continue with that,” he pledged.
Joining the celebration was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Iman Kajula, who commended the players for securing the last 16 spot, insisting that the team will undergo thorough preparations to do well in the group stage of the Champions League.
“It was not easy to face Power Dynamos as they are a good team and they once clinched the CAF Confederation Cup title…and the good thing is that we have seen improvement in our team,” he said.
Reacting to his team’s elimination, Power Dynamos coach Mwenya Chipepo conceded the defeat, saying they were not lucky enough to penetrate further into the competition.
“We played good football and we intended to reach the last 16 but that has not materialised…this is football, we will rectify some of the challenges that surfaced to do well next year,” Chipepo said.
He appreciated the good fight showcased by his players in both legs against Simba and wished the Tanzanian side all the best in the Champions’ League group stage.
Focus turns to Premier League
With the continental mission settled, Simba now turn their focus to the domestic campaign, with Coach Oliveira saying they want to maintain a 100 per cent start of the Premier League ahead of a tricky fixture away to Tanzania Prisons, a match that will be played at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya on Thursday.
After Thursday’s fixture against Prisons, Simba will come up against Singida Big Stars in yet another arduous task that will take place at Liti Stadium in Singida Region.
After the two league matches, the Msimbazi street giants will begin drills for their much-awaited African Football League (AFL) tie against Al Ahly at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on October 20, this year.
