Congo-Kinshasa/Tanzania: Simba’s Rival Play Mind Games

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

9 June 2011

SIMBA SC opponent’s in the CAF Confederations Cup, DC Motema Pembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is applying mind games ahead of first leg encounter at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Simba Vice-Chairman, Geoffrey Nyange ‘Kaburu’ said the DR Cong giant has kept their arrival a secret. “

We have informed them on the match day and time but they are skeptical in disclosing their arrival date, but preparations for the encounter are in full swing,” said Kaburu.

Earlier it was hinted that the Congolese side will arrive in the country on Friday. He said referees from Nigeria and match commissioner from Sudan were expected in today. Kaburu called for public support to cheer up the team.

Simba, who saw their chances of qualifying for the African Champions League group stages go up in smoke after they were beaten by Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in Cairo, were relegated to the Confederations Cup and were handed Motema Pembe as their first opponent in the event.

Simba are currently in training and the team’s head coach, Ugandan Moses Basena, is upbeat they will get a good result when they face their opponents. Kaburu said all the players have joined the team with an exception of Kenyan holding midfielder, Jerry Santo who was expected to join his colleagues yesterday evening.

The team returned to Dar es Salaam from Tanga where they had set up their camp to shape up for the tough clash which will be a two legged affair. Kaburu said the entrance for the game are 20,000/- for VIP A, while 10,000/- are for VIP Band C, 8,000/- for orange stand while those in blue and green stand will part with 5,000/- to watch the show.

Kaburu also said that the team will not break the training since they will be preparing for the return leg encounter a week later. Simba is scheduled to depart on June 16 for the return leg match that will take place in Kinshasa. The winner of the game will qualify for the quarter finals of the Confederation Cup.

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