The fate of Simba and Almasry, as they battle for a spot in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC), will be decided in 90 minutes of play tomorrow at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Simba suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first leg against Almasry in a match held on April 2 at the Suez Stadium in Egypt.
Simba faces a tough task ahead—needing to score at least three goals to secure progression, while Almasry holds the advantage. If they win, they will automatically advance to the semi-finals.
Speaking to the press on April 8, 2025, the coaches and players of both teams shared their preparations and thoughts ahead of tomorrow’s crucial match.
Simba’s head coach, Fadlu Davids, acknowledged the 2-0 loss but stated that the team had made thorough preparations to ensure a positive outcome tomorrow.
"We are approaching this game with caution, but we will focus on attacking more aggressively to secure the result," he said.
Davids also encouraged the fans to buy tickets and attend in large numbers to rally behind the players, ensuring a morale boost for the team. “Simba will overcome this challenge,” he said confidently.
Simba’s captain, Mohamed Hussein, assured fans that the team is fully prepared and determined to fight for a victory.
“This match is crucial for us, and we need the support of our fans to push us to success. We want to make all Tanzanians proud by advancing to the semi-finals,” Hussein said.
On the other hand, Almasry’s head coach, Anis Boujelbene, emphasized that his team is well-prepared and committed to securing a positive result against Simba to progress to the next stage.
“Even though we are leading 2-0, we won’t be complacent. We’re fully focused on the fight ahead,” Boujelbene explained.
He acknowledged the pressure of facing a team with such a passionate fan base but reassured that his squad, with experience in African competitions, knows how to handle such pressure.
Almasry’s player, Karim Al-Iraqi, echoed his coach's sentiments, stating that the team is ready to battle Simba, despite their 2-0 lead from the first leg.
“Although we have the advantage, we’re coming to fight for the result in tomorrow’s match, just like we did in the first leg. We’re determined to give our best,” Al-Iraqi added.
