DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA SC will take on BigMan FC today at KMC Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam as they continue their Federation Cup campaign.
Simba confidently heads into the match, having secured an impressive 4-0 victory over TMA Stars in their previous fixture.
Three teams have already secured their spots in the Federation Cup quarter-final race; JKT Tanzania, Singida Big Stars and Mbeya City.
Another Round of 16 match will take place tomorrow, with Tabora United facing Kagera Sugar.
The remaining two fixtures are scheduled for Saturday, where Yanga SC will go up against Songea United, while Mashujaa FC will battle Pamba Jiji to complete the quarter-final lineup.
Meanwhile, Simba SC have informed their fans that tickets purchased for their CAF Confederation Cup group stage match against Constantine will be valid for the quarter-final match against Al Masry from Egypt on April 2.
The statement was made yesterday by the club’s Head of Information and Communication, Ahmed Ally, following the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sanction that requires Simba to play one match behind closed doors and pay a fine of $40,000.
Ally stated that all fans who had purchased tickets for the Constantine match will be able to use them for the Al Masry fixture.
“This means that fans who had already bought tickets will not need to purchase new ones for the upcoming match. The club’s management has ensured that the tickets will remain valid and will be used as planned,” he explained.
Ally further advised fans to keep their tickets safe and bring them to the stadium on match day to avoid any access issues.
He clarified concerns regarding the use of Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for the match, assuring fans that CAF officials had already conducted an inspection and that the club is waiting for the official report.
“The final results are yet to be released, but based on discussions, CAF officials have acknowledged significant improvements compared to their last inspection.
“This increases the chances of playing at the stadium. You all remember the statement from the Government Spokesperson affirming that the stadium is ready. We are not waiting idly; preparations are ongoing,” he said.
CAF imposed the sanctions following fans’ riots during Simba SC’s CAF Confederation Cup match against Algeria’s CS Sfaxien, which took place on December 15 last year at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium
