Tanzania/Egypt: Cairo to Host Simba-Wydad Duel

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Majuto Omary

18 May 2011

Cairo’s Petrosport Stadium will be the venue where Simba SC will pit their wits against Waydad Casablanca of Morocco on May 28.

The stadium, which is neutral for both sides, will host an anticipated tense Champions League one-off encounter that will decide who to advance to the last eight.Simba, who got this rare opportunity following the disqualification of defending champions TP Mazembe, look forward to unleashing their claws.

However, the Msimbazi Street giants, who will not compete in the African Champions next season unless they clinch the trophy, face a tall order against the Moroccan side.The TFF information officer, Boniface Wambura, told reporters yesterday that the Cairo venue was picked by the African soccer controlling body, Caf. Wambura added that the two teams will have to incur transport and accommodation costs while the TFF and its Moroccan counterpart would foot the remaining match expenses.

“Caf has instructed the Egyptian soccer association to prepare a good environment for the teams, but the clubs will have to incur transport and accommodation expenses,” the TFF official said.Should Simba pass the forthcoming hurdle, they are likely to face Al Ahly of Egypt and Esperance of Tunisia in Group B.

The two North African heavyweights will be a serious threat to Simba’s quest of equalling or surpassing their 1993 feat.If Simba lose the match against Wydad Casablanca, they will head-to-head against DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo two weeks later.

Simba, under the tutelage of Mosses Basena, are desperately shaping up for the one-off encounter with some of their key players missing.However, Simba are said to have received a major boost following TP Mazembe’s decision to allow Mbwana Samatta and Patrick Ochan to beef up the squad.

The duo were recently traded to the Congolese champions, but since they have yet to play for TP Mazembe, the Congolese side gave them a nod to play for their former employers.Simba head coach Moses Basena who landed the job recently faces baptism of fire come next week.

But the Ugandan is confident of leading his side to glory.

“I have prepared a short training programme that I believe will help us to eliminate the Moroccan giants,” he said. Basena added: “My players are working really hard in practice sessions, so I believe they will go all out against Casablanca.”The coach was expecting forward Emmanuel Okwi, midfielders Jerry Santo and Hilary Echesa to join teammates in a few days.

Okwi, who illuminated the premiership with his pace and skills, is in South Africa undergoing trials at Kaizer Chiefs while the rest were on leave.The African Champions League group stage will begin in July and the final match will be played in November.Group A comprises teams namely, Enyimba of Nigeria, El Hilal (Sudan), Raja Casablanca (Morocco) and Coton Sport of Cameroon.

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