Simba players brace for CAF CL encounter against ASEC Mimosas

The stage is set at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, with kickoff scheduled for 10:00 PM East African time.

Ahead of the crucial CAF Champions League match against ASEC Mimosas today, Simba goalkeeper Aishi Salum Manula, on behalf of his teammates, expressed their readiness for the upcoming match.

Manula stated: “As players, we are thoroughly prepared for this game. Additionally, as goalkeepers, we are primed for whoever earns the opportunity to play; they must perform admirably.”

The goalkeeper, who was present in the squad during the encounter between these two teams in the 2022 CAF Confederation Cup match, wherein Simba suffered a 3-1 defeat away from home, further remarked:

“We are determined to secure a favorable result in any manner possible. Our objective is clear: we approach this match with a strategic mindset, ready to exert maximum effort to attain our goals.

“Securing a positive outcome in this game is among our top priorities,” Manula said.

The Msimbazi Reds face potential challenges ahead of their CAF Champions League clash, as a win is crucial for them to enhance their chances of advancing to the quarter-finals.

A victory in the game will keep Simba’s hopes alive for reaching the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League before their last game in the group against Jwaneng Galaxy.

It’s evident that ASEC Mimosas aim for respect and to secure the top spot in Group B, having already qualified with 10 points.

Simba have been well-prepared after playing five league matches since February 3, this year, winning all four away games and drawing against Azam FC.

These preceding matches have served to prepare Simba for their encounter with ASEC, who have not played any competitive matches this year but have been engaged in several friendly matches.

ASEC’s last competitive match was on December 30, where they won 1-0 at home against Stade d’Abidjan, with midfielder Serge Pokou scoring from a penalty kick, who incidentally played a significant role in a previous draw against Simba in Dar es Salaam.

ASEC Mimosas, assessing the league standings, may be surprised as Simba currently sit in third place with 36 points after 16 matches, while ASEC are in fourth place with 26 points after 15 matches.

Simba boast an attacking line that has scored 31 goals and conceded 14 in the league, compared to ASEC’s 20 goals before their league halted for the 2023 African Cup of Nations finals.

Furthermore, ASEC’s top scorer Sankara Karamoko, with six goals in the CAF Champions League, will be absent from the game for the first time, having been transferred to Austrian club Wolfsberger AC during the recent transfer window.

Karamoko notably assisted in ASEC Mimosas’ previous away draw against Simba.