Upcoming CAF Champions League is crucial for both teams

TANZANIA: WINNING these games will help Simba and Yanga advance to the quarterfinals and increase the country’s points collection in the 5-year CAF Club ranking.

This is important for Tanzania to continue sending four teams to both CAF Competitions – two for the Champions League and two for the Confederation Cup.

However, these fixtures are not easy as both teams need to secure wins to qualify. Simba SC is currently in second place in Group B with five points, while ASEC Mimosas are leading the group with ten points and have already qualified for the quarters.

This leaves Simba SC to compete for the remaining ticket with Jwaneng Galaxy, who have four points, and Wydad Casablanca, who have three points.

As all three teams have a chance to win, Simba SC must target for a win in each of its two remaining games, which include today’s game against ASEC and their last group match against Galaxy.

Similarly, Young Africans are tied in points with CR Belouzidad, who are in second place with a better goal average. Al Ahly is leading Group D with six points, and Medeama is at the bottom with four points.

This group is more difficult as all four teams have a chance to qualify for the knockout stage.

Young Africans need to secure a win against CR Belouzidad to keep their hopes of advancing alive. The group remains wide open with two rounds of fixtures to go before the top two finishers are decided for the knockout phase of the competition.

CR Belouizdad and Young Africans are equally tied on five points, so a win on home ground on Saturday will be vital for Young Africans as it will pave the way into the knockout stage.

Things might be tough away in the last group match against the reigning champions Al Ahly in Cairo, Egypt if the bottom placed Ghana’s Medeama secure a win at their home turf today against Ahly at their home ground in Ghana.

But with the support they have, Young Africans can have sweet revenge against the Algerian outfit who defeated them by 3-0 and can have a chance to take the driver’s seat of group D if Medeama see off Ahly. We wish the national envoys the best of luck in their matches.

Simba SC will face ASEC Mimosas today at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, while Young Africans will welcome CR Belouzidad at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium tomorrow.