By Fred Mukoni
In Dar es salaam, Tanzania
Tanzania giants Simba SC will hosts Al Hilal in an international friendly match on Sunday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The two teams will use the match to prepare ahead of the group stage of the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
Coach Florent Ibenge’s team have been camped in Tanzania for over a week and played to a 1-1 draw against another Tanzania Premier League side Namungo FC, before stopping Azam FC 1-0.
But Ibenge has made it clear that facing Simba SC will give them a good test because the two teams are all in the group stage of the competition. “This match will give us a good test and also help Simba SC prepare well before we play our first match in the group,” added the experienced Ibenge.
It will also be a good test for Simba’s new Brazilian coach Roberto Oliviera ‘Robertinho’ who will be preparing to guide the Tanzania side in their first group match. Oliveira guided Uganda’s Vipers SC to the group stage before he joined Simba SC few weeks ago.
While Simba SC are placed in Group C alongside Raja CA (Morocco), Horoya (Guinea) and Uganda’s Vipers SC in the Champions League, the Sudan reigning Al Hilal are in Group B alongside former winners Al Ahly (Egypt), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) and Cameroon’s Cotton Sport.
