Simba SC v Al Ahly
Venue: Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Dar es Saalam
Time: 6 pm, Friday
The business end of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League commences with a huge bang in Dar es Salaam with Tanzanian giants Simba SC welcoming the defending champions Al Ahly on Friday.
In recent seasons, this is the level the Red Devils turn up as they always look less dangerous in the group stage but more dangerous in the knockout stages.
Beaten Al Ahly has always been a tough job for clubs on the continent especially in the knockout phases. Marcel Koller’s charges look so good heading to Tanzania as they have lost just once in their last 9 games. A 4-3 defeat against National Bank of Egypt before the international break is the only imperfection in Ahly’s recent games.
Simba SC on the other hand are very dangerous at home. The Lunyasi thrashed Jwaneng Galaxy 6-0, beat Wydad 2-0 and drew 1-1 against Asec at home in the group stage. In all competitions, Tanzania Prisons’ 2-1 success at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium was the last time any team defeated Simba in their last 14 games. The defeat in their backyard against Tanzania Prisons was the last time Simba lost at home since the 5-1 embarrassment by their rivals Yanga in the early stages of the season.
Team News
Simba SC is set to miss the quartet of Aishi Manula, Ladacki Chasambi,
Karabakh and Edwin Balua. The rest of the squad is 100% fit and ready to face Al Ahly.
Al Ahly on the other side will miss the quality of Emam Ashour, El Shenaawy and Aliou Dieng. The rest of the squad is prepared for Simba SC.
Probable Lineup
4-1-4-1
Simba SC
Lakrad (GK)
Kapombe, Inonga, Malone Junior, Hussein Muhammed (DF)
Sarr (DM)
Ngoma, Ntibazonkiza, Chama, Kibu (AMF)
Pa Omar Jobe (ST)
Al Ahly
4-3-3
Oufa Shobeir (GK)
Maaloul, Hanny, Abdelmonem, Rabia (DF)
Ateya, El Solia, Afsha (MDF)
Tau, Modeste, El Shahat (FW)
H2H
Since 2019, the two teams have met 6 times, 4 in the CAF Champions League and 2 in the African Suoer League
Simba SC 2 wins,
Al Ahyly 2 wins
2 draws
Predictions
Simba SC 1-1 Al Ahly
