Tanzania: Simba Out to Restore Dented Pride

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Majuto Omary

11 June 2011

Coach Moses Basena’s charges will be subjected to yet another test this afternoon when Simba take on DR Congo’s Motema Pembe in the Africa Confederation Cup play-off at the National Stadium.

Simba, whose hopes to make it into the group stage of Africa Champions League went up in smoke recently after tumbling to Morocco’s Waydad Casablanca, vowed yesterday that they will not afford another dismal show this time around.

“Our aim right now is to go to the group stage of the Confederation Cup, it’s not an easy task, but I think we have the quality to go through,’ Basena said.”I know these tournaments have their own soul and if we can play as a team, I think we can do very well.” The match starts at 3.30pm.The Ugandan said he has addressed the mistakes he noted during their Champions League play-off against Waydad Casablanca in Cairo, Egypt where lack of concentration in the last ten minutes cost them dearly.

Motema Pembe, who have been around since Friday, believe pressure will be on the Msimbazi Reds because they will be playing before their home fans. The Congo team’s stand-in coach Joseph Mukebe, who took charge of the team from sacked Belgian coach Nasreddine Nabi, early this week, said yesterday that they are not scared of their hosts.

“We are not scared and I’m convinced that my players will not be intimidated by our opponents’ supporters,” he said.Motema Pembe leadership sacked Nabi because he was reportedly unable to work with his two assistants.

This came only days after they were involved in arguments that led the team losing two games in the last round of the Congo League against less fancied clubs. The return leg will take place in Kinshasa a week later and the winner will qualify to the last eight of the competition.

Soccer fans wishing to witness the match will have to part with Sh20,000 each for the VIP A seats, while 10,000 are for VIP B and C.Entrance fee for Orange stand is Sh8,000 while those wishing to watch the game from the blue and green stands will each pay Sh5,000.

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