DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA Sports Club players are set to begin a special camp for the CAF Champions League quarter-final against Al Ahly.
Simba Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Imani Kajula confirmed that the team will undertake a special camp in readiness for their Champions League first-leg match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
The Reds host Al Ahly in Dar es Salaam on March 29th before the second leg duel slated for Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on April 5th.
This will be the first time for the duo to interface in the knockout phase of the Champions League and hence it is expected to be a thrilling game. In an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily News’ on Sunday, Kajula confirmed that they go with such an arrangement for the much awaited big match as they aim to win.
“We are planning to have a special camp ahead of our Al Ahly Champions League match. Currently, we are just finalising some issues before we begin the camp,” he said.
Asked whether the camp will be conducted within or outside the country, Kajula replied that it will be held in the country at a specific place that they will declare soon.
“It will help to provide enough concentration, focus and improve physiological levels of players that is very important, especially when preparing for big matches,” he said.
Commenting on the game itself, the CEO had this to say: “We respect them (Al Ahly) a lot, they are a powerful club in Africa with a good and big record, but that does not prevent us from doing proper preparations against them. “We have a good squad and experienced coach in CAF competitions and we have passionate fans…that make us optimistic of winning the match although it will be tough.” According to available statistics, in their past three head-to-head fixtures, Al Ahly have never won a game at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium against Simba in all competitions.
On February 12th, 2019, Simba hosted Al Ahly in the Champions League Group D match and the former won 1-0 thanks to Meddie Kagere’s 65th minute goal.
During the match, Simba registered five shots on target against one shot on goal by the Egyptian side.
Then on February 23rd, 2021, Simba also welcomed Al Ahly at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for Group A Champions League encounter and the Reds cherished another 1-0 success netted by Luis Miquissone in the 31st minute. Simba had four shots on target against one shot on goal.
Their third appearance in the city was on October 20th last year in the inaugural match of Africa Football League (AFL) that ended in a 2-2 draw courtesy of goals from Kibu Denis and Sadio Kanoute.
