Tanzania Mainland Premier League outfit Simba SC coach Roberto Oliveira has revealed that his side is ready to face Al Ahly, saying the game will be a strong derby.

CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly have drawn Tanzania’s Simba in the quarter-finals of the inaugural African Super League. The first leg will take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on October 20, before both teams face a week later in Cairo to decide the team that reaches the semi-finals.

In case Al Ahly makes it through, they will face either South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns or Angola’s Petro de Luanda, whose participation in the competition is yet to be confirmed. Speaking of the draw, Simba’s manager Roberto Oliveira told OnTime Sports: “I am happy to face Al Ahly, because Simba is a strong team who performs well in the Champions League.

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“We are among the top 10 teams in Africa, and we are currently in seventh place. We have a strong team, a mix of experience and youth, and I am completely satisfied with the performance and strategy we play with. I see this as a good opportunity for us to perform well and showcase our skills. The match against Al Ahly will be a strong derby and a big game, and we have the opportunity to give our best.

“I am ready to play anywhere. Secondly, I respect all the competitors, but for me, football is not about the past or the future; it’s about the present. All competitors should respect Simba because it’s one of the best teams in Africa.

“We have a strong team, and I love playing in derby matches. It will be a strong derby match, and I respect all the competitors. We will give our best in our matches, and we haven’t been defeated in the league and the Tanzanian Super Cup.”