Simba Queens have stepped up preparations for the CECAFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers, with the regional tournament set to begin on August 21 in Rwanda.
The Tanzanian champions are heading into the competition with renewed confidence after completing a training camp in Kenya, where they played three international friendly matches as part of their preparations.
The camp provided the technical bench with an opportunity to assess the squad, fine-tune tactics and identify areas requiring improvement ahead of the regional test.
Speaking as the team travelled to Rwanda, Simba Queens coordinator Selemani Makanya said the preparations had progressed well, particularly given the competitive nature of the friendly matches.
“The team’s progress is good and preparations have been strong. The competitive matches we played helped the technical bench identify areas that needed improvement and strengthen the squad ahead of the tournament,” Makanya said.
He added that the matches had also given the players valuable exposure and enabled them to gain a better understanding of the demands of high-level competition.
The squad left Tanzania yesterday and is expected to report to the tournament centre on August 19. The team will then complete its final preparations while acclimatising to Rwanda’s weather and playing conditions before the competition gets underway.
Makanya called on Simba Queens supporters and Tanzanians across the country to rally behind the team as it bids to win the CECAFA title and secure qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
He also urged Tanzanians living in Rwanda to attend the matches in large numbers and provide the team with the support it needs throughout the tournament.
Simba Queens have been drawn in Group C, where they will face Police FC of Kenya and Burundi’s Top Girls.
With qualification for the continental stage at stake, Simba Queens will be looking to translate their preparations into results as they begin their regional campaign in Rwanda.
