Tanzania’s Simba SC face tough Vipers hurdle in CAF Champions League

_{Tanzania’s Simba SC will face a tough test when they play away to Uganda’s Vipers SC in a Group C match of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Saturday night.}

_{Although Simba have reached the group stage of the same tournament before and dropped out at the quarter final stage in the TotalEnergies Confederation Cup last season, the match at the St. Marys Stadium, Kitende provides a different test altogether.}

_{Morocco’s Raja Casablanca top of the group with six points after wins against Vipers and Simba SC, while Horoya AC (Guinea) are second with 4 points. Vipers have only collected one point in their draw against Horoya last weekend, while Simba SC are bottom with no point.}

_{Vipers SC’s new coach Beto Bianchi has defended his players, stating that despite their recent inability to secure positive results, they have been playing good football, and he believes that their hard work will eventually pay off.}

_{“There is some form of pressure and my players need to relax and convert the many chances we create,” added the coach. The Vipers SC will look to skipper Milton Karisa to drive the team forward in search of their first win in the group stage.}

_{But Roberto Oliviera, the Simba SC coach also made it clear that they are in Uganda to collect three points.}

_{“We need to get three points to restore the morale of the team. But Vipers also has quality therefore we shall need to be careful,” added the Brazilian who left Vipers to join the Tanzanian side.}

_{Meanwhile, the two Sudan Premier League sides Al Hilal and Al Merriekh picks vital wins in their respective groups in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Friday.}

_{Al Hilal came from a goal down to beat hosts Coton Sport 2-1 in a match played at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua, Cameroon. Patient Wassou gave the hosts a 1-0 first half lead, but DR Congo International Makabi Lilepo netted a brace after the interval to make sure Al Hilal picked maximum points. The win sends them second on the log behind Mamelodi Sundowns who face Al Ahly.}

_{Al Merriekh also picked a 1-0 win against Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in a Group D match played at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Libya. Brazilian striker Paulo Sergio netted a penalty after 32 minutes.}