Israel Saria
Friends of Simba have pledged a huge Sh100million congratulatory package for their players if they beat TP Mazembe in an African Champions League, first leg match at the Stade de Kenya here today.
An official of the group, Mohamed Nassoro, made the pledge yesterday, during a lunch with players in a Lubumbashi hotel.
“I you draw with them we will award you Sh50m,” Nassor said.
Simba players had earlier rejected the offer of two mini-buses hired for them by their hosts TP Mazembe to pick them from a Lubumbashi airport.
The Dar es Salaam-based team arrived at Luano Airport in Lubumbashi at 10.30am, declined to board the coasters over superstitious fears, opting, instead, to hire a private bus for the ride to a city hotel.
The teams will meet in the return leg in Dar es Salaam after two weeks.
Simba coach Patrick Phiri said the game will be tough although they were facing a world class club. “We are here to win; there is no reason why we should fear them although we respect them,” the Zambian tactician said.
TP Mazembe are the tournament’s defending champions and are 2010 FIFA World Club Cup runners-up.
Simba is the only local club which has remained in the CAF competition. The Msimbazi Street boys competed in the Confederation Cup last year.
They were eliminated by Haras al-Hedood of Egypt whom they beat 2-1 in Dar es Salaam before losing 5-1 away in Alexandria to bow out 6-3 on aggregate.
Phiri will rely on Juma Kaseja at the goal while strikers will be Nico Nyagawa, Shija Mkina, Patrick Ochan, Mbwana Samatta and Emmanuel Okwi to metion but a few.
Hosts TP Mazembe will field their popular goalie Robert Kadiaba while
Kaliyukuta Alain and Deo Kabangu will be men to be watched at Simba’s goalmouth.
Possible Simba line up: Juma Kaseja, Karuna Shamte, Amir Maftah, Kevin Yondan, Juma Nyoso, Jerry Santos, Nico Nyagawa, Shija Mkina, Patrick Ochan, Mbwana Samatta and Emmanuel Okwi.
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