Tanzania: Simba Set Date With Al Masry

MAINLAND envoys in 2018 CAF Confederation Cup Simba have set date with Egyptian side Al Masry in the first round, after dumping out Djibouti's Gendarmerie Nationale FC. Simba registered a 0-1 win in the preliminary round return leg clash at the El Hadj Hassan Gouled Aptidon Stadium in the horn of Africa nation capital city, Djibouti yesterday. Ugandan striker, Emmanuel Okwi scored the solitary goal yesterday.

The Msimbazi Reds progressed to the first round of the continental second tier tournament on a 5-0 aggregate. Simba entered the pitch with a massive 4-0 advantage from their first leg match at the National Stadium about a week ago.

Simba's Head Coach Pierre Lechantre approached the game cautiously with a 5-4-1 formation. The approach was to keep possession and avoid conceding, while also hitting their opponents at the break. As expected, Simba had an easy task in the game. They were a dominant side in the match officiated by Burundians referee Eric Manirakiza. Simba created three clear cut chances in the first 45 opening minutes but failed to make the most out of the chances. After the break, Simba maintained their composure netted an away goal in the 55th minute.

Prodigal son and talisman Okwi, grabbed the winner, his second of the campaign. He is now tying with partner striker, John Bocco, who netted twice in the first leg. However, Bocco was on the sidelines yesterday due to knee injury. In the first leg, Said Ndemla shot Simba ahead in the second minute of the game before skipper Bocco added the second after the half an hour mark. Bocco was again on the score sheet on the stroke of half time as Simba took a 3-0 lead by the half time break. Okwi was well positioned to score the fourth with virtually the last kick of the game.

Going into the first round, Simba will have to keep momentum and be at their best to beat a much tougher opponents in Al Masry.

The Egyptians bundled out Zambia's Green Buffalos despite losing 2-1 at the Nokoloma Stadium in Lusaka yesterday. The Egyptians progress into the next round on 5-2 aggregate. In the first leg, Green Buffaloes lost 4-0 at the hands of Al Masry Club in Cairo.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian debutants, Wolaitta Dicha have their eyes fixed on a place at the next round of CAF Confederation Cup, as they play hosts Zimamoto of Zanzibar today in Hawassa, about 275 kilometres from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Both sides played out a one all draw last week at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar as Dicha took a slight advantage over their opponents ahead of the second leg and head coach Zenebe Fisseha believes his charges have what it takes to cruise to the first round. "In the first leg, we saw what Zimamoto have and we were lucky enough to get a profound perspective of their style of play. Now we will be playing at home in front of our crowds. We will be on look out for a win plus deploying a tactic that can hinder Zimamoto from utilising their system.

We are preparing to score goals using our own style of play. We have prepared in a good way and I hope we will beat Zimamoto," Fisseha said. Ever since Fisseha took over the helm of the 'Bees of Tona', as Dicha are nicknamed, the club has gone on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions. With the away draw against Zimamoto in their maiden continental outing the Sodo-based club is in pole position to qualify for the next round on their first attempt.

"Zimamoto scored their goal in the first leg with a cross from the flank, and they are good at it. We predict they will apply the same technique when they play on Wednesday.

We are preparing the players to be cautious and focused on the game not to concede a crucial away goal," Fisseha added. Zimamoto's Khamis Ali saw his opener cancelled out by Togolese import Arafat Djako in the first leg. For either side, it will be a first time to go past the prelims. Also, no Ethiopian club has yet to be knocked out by a Zanzibar outfit.