Excitement as Simba SC set to host Al Ahly in opening African Football League

Finally the long awaited African Football League (AFL) will kick-off on Friday in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam.

There is a lot of excitement ahead of the match as Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC prepare to host African giants Al Ahly (Egypt) in the inuagural quarter final match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

“We have been waiting for this day and finally Friday is not far,” said a Simba SC fan Hussien Ahmed. Another fan told Cecafa online that she cannot wait seeing Simba Sc beat Al Ahly again like it happened two years ago in the CAF Champions League.

Roberto “Robertinho” Oliveira, the Simba SC coach who guided them to the quarter final stage of the 2022/2023 CAF Champions League has made it clear that they are confident of performing well infront of their fans. ” We know Al Ahly is a strong team, but we are also a very strong team, ” added the Brazillian.

He made it clear that playing against Al Ahly is like a derby. “We have a strong team, and I love playing in derby matches. It will be a strong derby match, and I respect all the competitors in this new African Football League which will give our players another platform to showcase their skills.

At the same time the Tanzanian Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Damas Ndumbaro has made it clear that the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium which has been undergoing some renovations is ready to host the first two matches of the African Football League.

He said besides the match involving Simba SC and Al Ahly, the Stadium will also host the DR Congo side TP Mazembe against Esperance Sportive de Tunis on Sunday. He called upon Tanzanians and all football lovers in the region to come in large numbers and watch the two matches.

In another development the President of Tanzania Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has promised to award US$4,000 (Tsh.10 million) for every goal that Simba SC score in the match against Al Ahly. The return leg will be played on October 24th at the Cairo International Stadium.

In the other quarter final matches Angola’s Petro de Luanda will face Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) and Nigeria’s Enyimba International battle Wydad Casablanca.