Wydad AC head coach warns Simba SC ahead of CAF CL last eight rematch

In the two teams’ first leg, which took place in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, Tanzanian representatives commanded a 1-0 victory.

Simba SC, also nicknamed ‘Msimbazi Reds’, carved out their first-leg advantage in the first-half spell that saw forward Jean Baleke get on the scoresheet at the half-hour mark at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Simba SC was in full control of the game and managed 15 shots but so far three were on target across the 90 minutes.

Robertinho’s charges would have made the score even wider had they finished the chances Dennis Kibu, Baleke, Pape Sakho, and Clatous Chama had.

However, Garrido is unfazed by the defeat and was bullish ahead of the return leg in Casablanca on Friday, saying at a media conference after the game that the tie is just halftime and CAF Champions League’s defending champions will be very motivated to get the needed results to qualify for the semi-finals.

“Today we played the first match of this round, we are not happy with the results. In the match there were a lot of actions that I prefer not to speak about now,” Garrido revealed.

The gaffer noted: “A lot of actions that were a little bit strange. We have to keep calm now, analyze the match and start thinking about winning the next match to qualify for the semi-finals.”

“Both teams had the opportunities and chances to win the game. In the first, in my opinion, we had several chances to score but they scored the goal and we missed three or four clear chances, that’s the difference. Scoring the goal was the difference to winning the game,” Garrido said.

He added: “This is a two-legged tie, this is the first game, and there is still the second one. It’s like a match, we played the first half, and there is still the second half to play.”

“We will analyze this game, recover well and be very motivated for the second leg. Our goal is to win the game, and to get to the semi-finals.”

“The game was special because we were into Ramadhan until yesterday. Of course, the kick-off time and weather weren't good conditions. We don’t complain, or find excuses but we just keep working. The match still has the second half and we will play to win. We will use all our players and play with the conviction and determination to win,” the coach noted.

In the return leg set to take place in Casablanca on Friday, Wydad Athletic Club, the three-time African champions, will be aiming to qualify for the semi-finals for a fifth consecutive time.