Simba SC duo doubtful for 2022/23 CAF CL quarterfinal against Wydad AC

19Apr 2023
Michael Mwebe
Dar es Salaam
Sport
The Guardian
Simba SC duo doubtful for 2022/23 CAF CL quarterfinal against Wydad AC

TANZANIA's Simba SC could have a big injury concern ahead of the 2022/23 CAF Champions League quarterfinal tie against Moroccan giants, Wydad Athletic Club, slated for Saturday in Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania's Simba SC left fullback, Gadiel Michael (L), dribbles past Morocco's Raja Club Athletic midfielder, Zakaria Habti, as the two outfits took on each other in a 2022/23 CAF Champions League Group C encounter at Mohammed V Stadium in Morocco on March 31. Raja Club Athletic walloped Simba SC 3-1. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SIMBA SC

Simba SC will host the CAF Champions League’s defending champions in the first leg of their last-eight clashes at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday afternoon bidding to reach the semi-final for only the second time in their history.

The Tanzanian representatives are heading into the clash on the back of an impressive victory in a 2022/23 NBC Premier League encounter with Yanga that took place at the weekend.

Simba SC, also known as 'Msimbazi Reds', collected important three points in the 'Dar derby' with a 2-0 victory over Yanga as the top-flight title race head into the final rounds.

The victory came despite Simba SC missing the services of goalkeeper Aishi Manula and midfielder Sadio Kanoute. The duo remains the main concern for Simba SC heading into the Wydad Athletic Club game.

Simba SC Information and Communication Manager Ahmed Ally confirmed Manula and Kanoute remain doubtful after recent injuries but will be assessed as the team resumed training on Tuesday.

The official noted: "Regarding the team update, Kanoute is suffering from hip pain and today he will arrive at the camp to meet the doctors."

"If he is fine, he will start training. Similarly, Aishi Manula will meet with the doctors to check his condition," Ally said.

Kanoute has now missed the last four games though it was earlier communicated that he was merely rested as one of the most used players in this campaign.

Though much now depends on how he fares in and reacts to training between Tuesday and Friday, there is a strong possibility he might miss the first leg.

The situation echoes the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal played one year ago, in which Simba SC locked horns with a South African side, Orlando Pirates, when he was suspended for yellow card accumulation.

On the other hand, Manula picked up a knock in this season's Federation Cup quarterfinal win over Ihefu SC forcing Simba SC head coach Roberto Oliveira ‘Robertinho’ to use third-choice goalkeeper Ally Salim in the two subsequent games including the derby against Yanga.

Though it has not been confirmed officially, it is understood that second-choice goalkeeper, Beno Kakolanya, has been overlooked for what is alleged to have signed a pre-contract with another NBC Premier League club.

This will be the third time Simba SC takes on a Moroccan opponent in the premier continental showpiece this year, as they faced off with Wydad Athletic Club’s arch-rivals Raja CA in the Group Stage, losing home and away.

The last meeting between Simba SC and Wydad Athletic Club was in the 2011 season in a special play-off match that was ordered by CAF following a successful appeal by Simba SC over DR Congo club, TP Mazembe, fielding an ineligible player. Wydad Athletic Club won 3-0 in Cairo.

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