"Simba SC Prepares for Al Masry in CAF Quarter-Final"
"Simba SC head coach Fadlu Davids is confident their Egypt pre-season will boost their chances in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final."
Davids Optimistic About Simba's Pre-season Preparations Ahead of Al Masry Clash
Simba SC's head coach, Fadlu Davids, is confident that his side's pre-season training in Egypt will serve them well in the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final.
After a strong showing in the group stages, where Simba finished at the top of Group A, the Tanzanian club will now face Egyptian outfit Al Masry in a two-legged quarter-final. The first leg will take place on April 2 in Egypt, with the return leg in Dar es Salaam on April 9.
Davids, who took over the reins at Simba in July 2024, has quickly established himself, guiding the team to competitive form as they pursue both domestic and continental success.
Speaking on the upcoming fixture, Davids acknowledged the difficulty of the challenge ahead but expressed confidence that Simba’s preparations in Egypt would prove crucial. “We accept the draw, and we know that every team from here on out will be difficult. Al Masry are performing well in the Egyptian league, so this will be tough, especially playing away. But our pre-season training in Egypt, where we adapted to the climate and faced local teams, has equipped us well. It won’t be an easy match, but we are ready,” the 43-year-old coach said.
Discussing the significance of the double-legged format, Davids highlighted the importance of topping their group. “It was crucial to finish first in the group, as this gives us the advantage of playing the second leg at home in front of our supporters. Knowing the result from the first leg will help us plan the strategy for the return fixture. With our fans in Dar es Salaam, we have the added edge, and that could make the difference. We know the competition gets tougher at this stage, and we must be at our best to qualify,” he concluded.
Simba SC’s last appearance in this stage of the competition came in the 2021/22 season when they were narrowly eliminated by Orlando Pirates on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw.
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