Tanzania: Simba Duo Shake Off Injuries

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Majuto Omary

2 April 2011

Simba coach Patrick Phiri must be rubbing his hands with glee as defender Haruna Shamte and midfielder Mohammed Bank have shaken off on time for tomorrow’s match against DR Congo’s TP Mazembe.

Phiri confirmed yesterday that the two players were fit enough to feature for his team in a crucial return leg match of the Africa Champions against title holders TP Mazembe at the National Stadium.

“I am happy that Shamte and Banka are now fit, it’s a big relief for us. They rejoined their colleagues at a training session today morning, the Zambian coach said.

The duo was among five key Simba players who were doubtful for the match that will decide who cruise into the next stage of the continent’s biggest club tournament.”Though there are still some injuries at our camp, the return of Banka and Shamte will enable me to have a strong squad at my disposal on Sunday,” Phiri said.

Those ruled out of the anxiouskly awaited duel are Abdulhalim Humud, Amri Kiemba, Hillary Echessa, Uhuru Seleman and Nico Nyagawa.

Nyagawa is facing family problem and he is not in the city while Kiemba has sustained injury. Kiemba was injured in the training session ahead when the team preparing against Kagera Sugar in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League.

However, Phiri said that other players are committed with the team’s victory as they want to draw new history in the competition.The Zambian technician said that TP Mazembe is the toughest team in Africa and would like to win the match as their reward to honour their investment in the game.

However, until yesterday evening the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and Simba officials were still in the dark about the arrival of TP Mazembe.

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