Tanzania: Confident Simba Ready for Mazembe

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

17 March 2011

TANZANIA’S envoy in the African Champions League, Simba, leave for DR Congo on Saturday ahead of their first round clash against holders TP Mazembe with strong mind and confidence, according to the club’s chairman, Ismail Aden Rage.

Rage said TP Mazembe may be clear favourites on paper, but remained positive saying 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.

I talked to them and they promised to fight for good results,” the Tabora Urban legislator told the ‘Daily News’ on Thursday.

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.

Rage said he will lead a contingent of 30 people to Lubumbashi, including 18 players, coach Patrick Phiri and his assistant Amri Said, as well as the team’s physician Cosmas Kapinga and Innocent Njovu (manager).

“We’ll jet off at 1900hrs aboard state flight and I would to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the government for letting us hire the flight.

This would enable us to travel comfortably to and from Lubumbashi, in fact we’ll return home just after the game,” said Rage. Rage revealed that Simba vice-chairman, Geoffrey Nyange ‘Kaburu’ leaves for DR today aboard Kenya Airway with a contingent of 25 fans including members of parliament.

“We’re receiving massive support from different parts, in and outside the country. As we speak already 65 supporters have crossed the Tunduma border on their way to Lubumbashi on bus and I have received a phone call informing me that 150 fans from Ndola, Kitwe and Kinshasa will travel to Lubumbashi.

“We have also been informed that drivers and conductors of over 400 cars in the border city of Kasubeleza have confirmed to be at the Stadium on Sunday to cheer our team,” Rage added.

Simba’s decision to go to Lubumbashi one day before their match, Rage said, had considered technical advices.

“Experts say that there are two ways you can avoid different weather condition from affecting you when you are going to play away, you should either travel within 48 hours or five days before.”

Phiri’s men 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 are the only Tanzanian side which succeeded to make 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 champion Zamalek.

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