AFTER knowing their CAF Interclub Games opponents, Tanzania envoys continue to react insisting that there is no need to underestimate any side that stands in their way.
Six teams from Tanzania Mainland and Isles are engaged in preparations to ensure they represent well the country in all their lined-up assignments.
Four teams from Tanzania Mainland are Simba and Young Africans who compete in the CAF Champions League while Azam and Singida Fountain Gate will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup.
For the Isles, KMKM are engaged in the Champions League whereas JKU will feature in the Confederation Cup and both seek to stamp success and move on to the upper stages.
In his reaction, Simba coach Roberto Oliveira maintained that with the current squad he has, they can play against any club including world giants, Real Madrid.
“We have the ability to show any team that we are ready to play against anyone basing on the quality players we have as well as the good technical bench with highly skilled trainers.
“As Simba, we always dream of accomplishing great things because you cannot become a big club if you do not focus on great achievements,” said Oliveira who is yet to clinch a silverware at the helm of the Msimbazi Street Reds.
He added that many Tanzanians love football just like the Brazilians, hence this guarantees them (Simba) maximum support from their fans across the country.
To Azam, the club’s coach Youssouph Dabo said they need to undergo intensive preparations in order to stand out tall during the approaching Confederation Cup duels.
“We have to embrace good preparations so that at the end, we can progress from the first preliminary round to the second stage, this is our main objective,” he said.
Yanga, through their Media and Communication Manager, Ali Kamwe, said their top priority is to reach in the group stage of the Champions League which they reached in 1998.
“Last season, we had a good ride in the Confederation Cup by stepping into the final and we were too close to grab the Confederation Cup trophy, this time, we aim to play in the last 16 of the competition,” he said.
However, according to the first preliminary round draw held at CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, Yanga will play against Asas FC of Djibouti in a two-legged fixture.
Zanzibar’s KMKM go head to head versus St George of Ethiopia in another tense match to be witnessed in the first preliminary round of the competition.
In the Confederation Cup, Singida Fountain Gate will lock horns with JKU of Zanzibar in an all Tanzanian clash whereas Azam will interface Bahir Dar City of Ethiopia.
Source: Daily News
