The draw for the round of 16 of the ASFC
produced some exciting all premier league fixtures and this would be
fascinating one to watch given recent meetings between the two sides.
The fixture was initially scheduled for
March 1, but the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) brought it forward
for technical reasons, a move approved by the two clubs
. Simba, who are desperate to return to
international football, cannot underestimate the magnitude of today’s
fixture and importance of the Federation Cup, which provides one of the
two tickets to represent the country in continental competitions.
The Msimbazi Street Reds crashed out at
the quarter-final stage last season after crashing 2-1 to Coastal Union,
but will be keen to avoid such embarrassment this time around and try
to win the competition, whose winner represents the country in the CAF
Confederation Cup.
But they will be aware of the kind of
opposition they’re up against having already faced African Lyon in the
league this season, when the Reds succumbed to their first defeat of the
season, losing 1-0. That gives Lyon confidence going into today’s
fixture.
A superb defensive performance and
well-calculated attacking display saw Lyon seal a memorable win with a
last-gasp winner against a formidable Simba side, ending their 13-match
unbeaten run. Would the same tactic produce similar result in favour of
Lyon or would Fernando Tavares’ side take a different approach? Whatever
way they choose, it would need a heroic performance to outsmart Joseph
Omog’s demolition gang.
One of Simba’s main undoing this season
has been their goal-shy striking force but recently, they appear to have
finally found that cutting edge. Two 3-0 league wins over Majimaji and
Tanzania Prisons have demonstrated notable improvements in the Reds’
offensive game. Key to Simba’s newly found attacking verve is the return
to form of striking duo Ibrahim Ajib and Laudit Mavugo. The two
strikers scored a goal apiece in both fixtures and produced overall
impressive performances.
Simba have injury concerns with key
defenders Method Mwanjali and Abdi Banda unlikely to feature against
Lyon, while Ugandan defender Juuko Murshid is yet to return to the club
since his participation in the African Cup of Nations finals with Uganda
Cranes.
The Federation Cup’s round of 16 matches
are set to continue on February 24 when last season’s runners-up Azam
will play host to Mtibwa Sugar at Azam Complex in another gripping
all-premier league encounter. Elsewhere, Kagera Sugar will welcome Stand
United at Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba.
Two more matches will be played on the
day whereas Ndanda FC will visit the Mighty Elephant at the Majimaji
Stadium in Ruvuma, whilst Arusha’s Madini FC will be up against JKT Ruvu
at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha.
Other matches will be played on February
26. Mbeya dwellers will be treated to a mouthwatering derby pitting
Mbeya City against their city rivals Prisons. Mwanza residents should
also brace for a thrilling derby between Mbao FC and Toto Africans at
the CCM Kirumba stadium on the same date.
In the last of the eighth ties,
defending champions Yanga will be expected to make an easy work of
Kiluvya United when the Premier League leaders face the Dar es Salaam
minnows on March 7 at the National Stadium.
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