By Flora Mkoloma
Simba SC has officially entered camp today, Wednesday, to begin intense preparations for their sixth and final group-stage match in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The highly anticipated game is set to take place this Sunday at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The Tanzanian giants will host Algeria’s CS Constantine in a match that could determine their dominance in the group.
Simba’s Media and Communications Manager, Ahmed Ally, emphasized the club’s commitment to securing the top spot in their group to demonstrate their stature.
"We view the match against CS Constantine as critical. When the groups were drawn, Simba was regarded as the strongest team.
Now, as we approach the end of the group stage, it’s crucial to reaffirm that dominance by finishing first," Ally said.
"Securing the top spot ensures we start the quarterfinals away and finish at home, which gives us a strong advantage in reaching the semifinals.
So far, we’ve defeated two teams in the group, and now we aim to ensure that Sunday’s opponent also feels our fire," he added confidently.
He also confirmed that CS Constantine is already en route to Tanzania, with Simba representatives at the airport to welcome them.
Despite their preparations, Simba faces a significant challenge. Fans have been barred from attending Sunday’s match, a decision that Ahmed Ally described as a major blow.
"It’s a setback for us because we know the incredible energy and support our fans bring to the stadium. Their presence makes a huge difference," he lamented.
Simba is determined to rise above this challenge and deliver a performance that secures their place as group leaders and sets the tone for the knockout stages.