Simba SC head coach Robertinho Oliveira commended his players after scrambling into the group stage of the CAF Champions League, saying his club’s objective was amicably achieved.
The Msimbazi Street-based outfit made their fifth qualification of the Champions League last 16 after seeing off Power Dynamos of Zambia courtesy of an away goal rule following a 1-1 draw in a fiercely contested return leg match at Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
After a double header, the duo produced a 3-3 aggregate draw which was an advantage for Simba after scoring twice away at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia in the first-leg duel that ended in a 2-2 stalemate. A late equaliser over the weekend proved enough for Simba to get back to what has now become a familiar dominion for the Tanzanian giants and the team’s Brazilian tactician Oliveira was more than pleased with the feat.
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“Listen, I am happy with the fact that we have managed to enter the group stage of the Champions League and this was our objective. We worked hard to achieve this and I congratulate my players, management, and all our fans who came in big numbers today (Sunday) to support us… together we have made it through,” Oliveira said.
Simba skipper Mohamed Hussein echoed his coach’s remarks, saying: “It was not easy but we made it to the group stage.”
With the continental mission settled, Simba now turns their focus to the domestic campaign, with Coach Oliveira saying they want to maintain a 100 percent start in the Premier League ahead of a tricky fixture away to Tanzania Prisons, a match that will be played at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya on Thursday.
After Thursday’s fixture against Prisons, Simba will come up against Singida Big Stars in yet another arduous task that will take place at Liti Stadium in Singida Region. After the two league matches, the Msimbazi street giants will begin drills for their much-awaited African Football League (AFL) tie against Al Ahly at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on October 20, this year.