Aishi Manula training with Simba SC ahead of CS Sfaxien clash - Photo Simba Media.
Tanzanian Mainland Premier League giants Simba SC have received a huge boost with news that goalkeeper Aishi Manula will be available when they take on CS Sfaxien in their third group fixture of the Caf Confederation Cup at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday.
The Taifa Stars custodian was left behind when the Wekundu wa Msimbazi travelled to take on CS Constantine on matchday two at the Stade Mohamed-Hamlaoui in Algiers. During the fixture, Simba suffered a 2-1 defeat despite taking an early lead.
Manula had been included in the travelling squad for Algiers but was withdrawn a few hours before the team boarded the plane after complaining of sickness. Simba Media Officer Ahmed Ally as confirmed the availability of Manula, one of the most experienced players in the Simba squad, ahead of their must-win contest against the Tunisian giants.
“We had a few players, who had various issues including health issues like Aishi (Manula), who got sick and could not travel to Algiers, but now he has been receiving treatment which is positive for the team and resumed training,” Ally told Pan-Africa Football.
“Another player Abdurazak Hamza, who was injured during our game against Constantine is also recovering and will likely train for the game, his injury is not as big as team doctors had earlier thought. However, good news is that Yusufu Kagoma has recovered fully from his injury and will be ready to play.
“Before we headed to Algeria, Kagoma was ready to play but the coach felt it was too soon for him to get involved but this time round, he has linked up with the rest of the squad in camp in readiness for Sunday’s game, and his injury problems are now in the past.”
Ally continued: “Apart from that, we don’t have any worrying injuries, everyone looks good to play and it will be upon the coach to pick the best for the must-win fixture.”
Meanwhile, Ally called on Simba fans not to give up following the defeat against Constantine.
“After we suffered defeat against Constantine most of our fans started to lose hope that Simba will not proceed past the group stage. I want to tell our fans not to be shaken, nothing changed despite the defeat, we still have the open chance to qualify from the group and reach the quarter-finals, the chance is still there and we don’t need to worry,” explained Ally.
“I want to remind them, last season, at this stage, we didn’t have any point but we still managed to qualify after beating Vipers SC of Uganda.”
He added; “Losing to Constantine should not make us lose our track and what we want to achieve. Our chance to qualify for the quarters is as white as snow especially if we perform well in the next fixture.”
Simba, who won their first match against Bravo do Maquis of Mozambique 1-0 in Tanzania, are currently sitting third in Group A with three points.
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