Stay focused, CL envoys urged

DAR ES SALAAM: FOOTBALL legends have urged Simba and Young Africans to remain focused on how to approach CAF Champions League (CAF CL) quarter final matches.

The two envoys have a busy schedule as they host CAF-CL first leg quarter-final matches, with Simba facing defending champions Al Ahly, while Yanga welcomes Mamelodi Sundowns at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam tomorrow and on Saturday respectively.

Speaking to the ‘Daily News’ on Wednesday, former Yanga defender, Bakari Malima, said both teams just need to focus on their games and leave behind pressure from fans. He cautioned the players to grasp well all tactical skills rendered to them by their respective coaches.

“We have to commend the two sides for reaching this far because it is the first time that both Simba and Yanga have qualified for the CAF-CL quarterfinals.

“The most important thing for them is to concentrate well on their assignments…they are beginning their matches at home; hence they need to finish the game here. “They have potential; we have seen them doing well at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and I hope that they will succeed in doing well in front of thousands of their fans,” Malima said.

Similarly, ex-Simba player, Dua Said, encouraged the duo to ensure that they utilise well the home-ground advantage by netting as many goals as possible. “In these knockout matches, the most important thing is to be efficient on the target… they should thrive to be clinical enough,” he said.

Moreover, he called on fans to offer full support to the country’s representatives, so that they can set a new record of simultaneously stepping into the Champions League Semi-Finals.

“So far, we have managed to be the only country in Africa to deploy two teams in the last eight categories which is a recommendable feat and we should strive to create another history,” he said.

After tomorrow’s match, Al Ahly will host Simba at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on April 5th for the reverse leg duel whose overall winner marches into the last four phases.

Also, Mamelodi Sundowns will stage the return leg clash against Yanga at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on April 5th as the best winner cruises into the semis. To reach this far, Simba finished second in Group B with nine points after six matches, registering two wins, three draws and one defeat.

The group was topped by Ivory Coast-based side ASEC Mimosas who annexed 11 points after six clashes. For Yanga, they also claimed a second slot in Group D after cherishing eight points from six matches, winning two games, two draws and succumbing two defeats in the process.

Al Ahly finished at the summit of the log, courtesy of 12 points and they did not suffer any upset in all their six duels.