Simba await tense Al Ahly duel

DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA Sports Club Coach, Fadlu Davids said facing Al Ahly Tripoli will be a good test to know his players better, as they will play at a tense and hostile atmosphere.

The Reds take on Al Ahly Tripoli in their first leg CAF Confederation Cup (CAF CC) match at 11 June Stadium in Tripoli, Libya on Sunday.

Thereafter, the two sides will meet for the second leg encounter at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, with the overall winner stepping into the group phase of the contest.

Speaking yesterday morning at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in the city before departing for Libya, Davids reiterated that they are well prepared for the duel.

“This is the real test to know better the players in terms of how they can handle the intense atmosphere because I am sure that the stadium will be full, but I am sure we will be up for it,” he said.

He added that he had played in Libya before three times with Orlando Pirates in Benghazi and not in Tripoli as such, he knows the atmosphere and hostility they are going to face.

“We will play on natural grass and not on artificial grass like we did in Benghazi but we are aware that this is going to be a tough match and we are set for it,” he remarked.

He also pointed out that their players who were called for national team duties of their respective countries are injury free a thing he said is a big boost to them ahead of the international matches.

His full-back, Shomari Kapombe also cemented that they are well drilled for the away game saying they aim to register nothing less than a win.

“We are going there to play against them and possibly bring back home positive results ahead of welcoming them for the second leg…we deserve to access group stage of the Confederation Cup,” he said.

Meanwhile, the full 22-man Simba squad deployed for the Tripoli mission consist of the goalkeepers Aishi Manula, Ally Salim and Moussa Camara.

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Defenders are Shomari Kapombe, Kelvin Kijili, Mohamed Hussein, Valentin Nouma, Che Malone, Karaboue Chamoue and Abdurazak Hamza.

Midfielders in the group are Augustine Okejepha, Debora Fernandes, Awesu Awesu, Yusuph Kagoma, Joshua Mutale, Edwin Balua, Fabrice Ngoma, Jean Ahoua and Kibu Denis while strikers are Steven Mukwala, Valentino Mashaka and Leonel Ateba.