Tanzania: Simba Jet-Off Minus Key Players

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

18 March 2011

INDUSRIOUS midfielder Mohamed Banka and defender Salum Kanoni are the major non-injured absentees from the 18-man Simba party which head off to DR Congo this evening for crucial CAF Champions League encounter with TP Mazembe.

No immediate reason was given for the duo’s absence although it seems highly likely their omission was purely technical.

There was also no place for young trio of Faraji Kabali, Kelvin Charle and Salum Aziz Gila.

Injured Abdulhalim Humoud has been left at home for more treatment, while Kenyan influential Hilary Echesa has also been ruled out of Simba’s plans because of fitness concerns.

Simba are already without long-term absentee, Ugandan defender Joseph Owino and winger Uhuru Selemani.

The duo have been ruled out for the rest of the season. Simba Information Officer, Clifford Ndimbo named the players who are set to jet off for Lubumbashi aboard government flight as goalkeepers; Juma Kaseja and Ali Mustafa, defenders; Haruna Shamte, Amir Maftah, Juma Jabu, Meshack Abel, Kelvin Yondan, and Juma Nyoso.

Jerry Santo, Patrick Ochan, Nico Nyagawa, Amri Kiemba, Rashid Gumbo are the midfielders, while Emmanuel Okwi, Musa Hassan ‘Mgosi’, Mbwana Samata and Shija Mkina form the striking force.

Simba chairman Ismail Aden Rage will lead the team’s delegation, which include Coach Patrick Phiri and his assistant Amri Said, as well as the team’s physician Cosmas Kapinga and Innocent Njovu (manager), to the DR Congo.

The considerably tough away game would provide the true picture of Simba’s destiny ahead of the return leg in Dar es Salaam next month.

Speaking ahead of the first round first leg encounter, Rage said Simba was going to face the reigning African champions with a massive amount of confidence.

The Tabora Urban legislator said Mazembe may be clear favourites on paper, but warned that Simba players are as confident as their opponents heading into Sunday’s first leg encounter.

“We are going to Lubumbashi with confidence. The expectations are high as we know we can win there.

The players are in good mood and shape and the spirit is high.” A contingent of 25 supporters led by vice-chairman Godfrey Nyange ‘Kaburu’ were expected to leave the country on Friday to Lubumbashi.

The Mainland champions saw off Elan Club de Mistoudje of Comoro with 4-2 win in the preliminary round fixture to set up the mouthwatering first round encounter with the mighty Congolese outfit, Tout Puissant Mazembe.

Simba is the only Tanzanian side which succeeded to make it into the first round of CAF club competitions this year and will travel to DRC harbouring hopes of repeating the famous 2003 penalty shootout triumph over the then defending champions Zamalek.

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