Simba Expects Tough Duel Against Al Ahly

Simba SC head coach Patrick Assuems has predicted a tough match against Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League outing on Saturday.

The Tanzanian side have managed to collect three points from possible six, while Red Castle have one more from the same number of games and currently top the Group D standings.

Despite bowing to AS Vita in the last fixture, the Belgian believes that mental strength will be the difference in the weekend duel.

“It is going to be a tough game, we have to work hard and just to be clear, I am not expecting to get any points from away games to Al Ahly and Vita Club. Our aim is to get the maximum points at home games,” said Assuems.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “I don’t really focus on certain players at Al Ahly, but of course it’s better to know how they play and all their strengths and weaknesses.  It will be great if we can get points from Al Ahly and not return from there empty-handed.”   [/perfectpullquote]

“I don’t like dreams because anything can happen during the game. It will be much harder for us if they get a penalty during the game or an offside goal or if one of our players gets sent off,” he added.

The former AC Leopards coach believes that Al Ahly are stoppable as he expects his charges not to give them an easy time.

“Managers know how to stop Al Ahly and cause them problems but it’s about the execution of the plan.”

“I am confident that we will not make it an easy game for them on the pitch but it comes down to the extent my players are willing to execute my plan,” Aussems concluded.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi dropped points in their second game of the group stages against Congolese side AS Vita as they were thrashed 5-0 in Kinshasa.

Ahly currently top of Group D with four points in two matches while Simba are third, level on points with second-placed Vita Club with three points.