Simba SC head coach, Roberto Oliveira.

The Msimbazi Street-based outfit, popularly known as ‘Msimbazi Reds’, opened their season with a 4-2 victory over Mtibwa Sugar in Morogoro before running out 2-0 winners over Dodoma Jiji FC to maintain a perfect record.

Additionally, their track record against Coastal Union remains impressive, bolstering their confidence even further.

The hosts have been the dominant force in the recent history of this match-up. They are on a 15-match unbeaten streak against Coastal Union.

It is also worth noting that Coastal Union carries a struggling away record into this fixture, further tipping the scales in Simba SC’s favour. The past three matches have all resulted in Simba SC wins.

Simba SC head coach, Roberto Oliveira ‘Robertinho’, acknowledged the importance of the league in the title race despite being early days in the campaign.

“It is a good opportunity to try again for my group of players because we have an important objective. It is an important league game,” Robertinho said in his pre-match interview.

In team news, keeper Aishi Manula and winger Aubin Kramo are in the latter stages of their recoveries from the issues that have kept them out early in the season, and the pair will also miss this mid-week clash.

It has been a baptism of fire for Moroccan goalkeeper, Ayoub Lakred, at the start of his Simba SC career.

Despite conceding a soft goal he is likely to be trusted to, again, stay between the sticks in today’s tie.

There are fewer rotational options for Robertinho in central defense, so Henock Inonga and Che Malone are likely to continue putting up a shift though it is the kind of game in which they could be offered a rest.

With Clatous Chama and Willy Onana being expected to distribute, Jean Baleke will be the primary receptor of Simba SC's attempts to break in behind Coastal Union's defense.

On the flip side, Coastal Union is still without a win this season. After two rounds of matches, they have one point and find themselves in the relegation zone where they spent the majority of last season.

Coastal Union's success this season is not going to depend on their results against the big sides, especially away from home, but they will be hoping to take advantage of Simba SC's tight schedule that saw them.

They can also take some comfort from their last away match, settling for a 1-1 draw with Mtibwa Sugar in August.

If they can produce a performance of similar grit, Coastal Union could well provide a problem or two for their illustrious hosts.