CAFCL: Simba SC will not change strategy for Nsingizini Hotspurs clash – Pantev

Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC new coach Dimitar Pantev has maintained the team will keep their strategy when they come up against Eswatini’s  Nsingizini Hotspurs in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round first leg at Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday.

The Bulgarian tactician came in to replace South Africa’s Fadlu Davids, who quit the role to take charge at Moroccan side Raja Casablanca. Davids oversaw Simba’s first round first leg match of the Champions League against Gaborone United which they won 1-0 away.

Speaking ahead of his first game for the club, Pantev said Simba will keep their usual identity but remained cautious of the condition of the pitch. He said Simba players are used to playing in grass but now they will come up against an artificial pitch.

‘Maybe it would be a little bit difficult for Simba’

“Our preparations may be slightly affected because we will use artificial ground, but the team is ready, enough motivated, and I think that our focus is to give our best, to give good performance,” Pantev told Pan-Africa Football.

“As I told you before everything will depend on our performance, so for our strategy, we are not going to change a thing, I think we have our style, and it will be okay for us to stick with how we have been playing.”

He added: “Maybe it would be a little bit difficult for our guys, because it is so cold here, but this is football, it will be the same for us and them, I think that this is not one of the main points now.”

Speaking on behalf of the players, captain Shomari Kapombe said: “All the players are fit and ready, we have done enough preparations, and the training was good, so we are focused to get a convincing result to take home for the return leg.”

He added: Last time we played here we go a win, but this game is the final to help us qualify, so it is not going to be easy, but as Simba we have done everything to make sure we qualify for the group stages, we want to win away and then make it easier for us in the return leg.”

The return leg will be played on at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday, October 26.

Simba SC squad in Eswatini;

Goalkeeper; Yakoub Suleimani, Hussein Abel.

Defenders; Shomari Kapombe, David Kameta, Karaboue Chamou, Rushine De Reuck, Wilson Nangu, and Vedastus Masinde.

Midfielders; Yusuph Kagoma, Mzamiru Yassin, Naby Camara, Joshua Mutale, Kibu Denis, Elie Mpanzu, Ladaki Chasambi, Jean Charles Ahoua, Neo Maema, and Morice Abraham.

Strikers; Jonathan Sowah, Steven Mukwala, and Seleman Mwalimu.