CAF CL: Simba SC will ‘roar’ again — Pantev

Simba SC coach Dimitar Pantev has sent out a bold declaration to all those doubting the Tanzania Mainland Premier League’s prospects of reaching the CAF Champions League’s (CAFCL) lucrative ranks.

The Bulgarian presided over a 1-0 loss to Angola’s Petro de Luanda in Tanzania to start the Group D journey in a shaky manner.

Petro midfielder Bernardo “Benny” Dias’ deflected effort in the second half was all the visitors needed to emerge from the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam unscathed.

Despite the setback, the former Gaborone United tactician insisted that the scoreline in the match played in Angola hardly reflects his team’s control of the proceedings.

The only missing link in Simba’s performance

According to Pantev, as quoted by Tanzania’s Daily News, the only missing piece in the performance of the Dar es Salaam-based side was in the final third.

“I believe we will qualify; the team is strong enough—mentally and tactically—to bounce back,” he said.

He said poor finishing came back to haunt them after the final whistle on Sunday, but vowed to bounce back to the party.

“This group is wide open, and a win puts us right back in the race. We have no time for excuses, only solutions, because the next match comes in days, not months,” Pantev added.

Petro lead the group taking advantage of a goalless draw between the group’s other strong teams Mali’s Stade Malien against Esperance de Tunis in Tunis on Saturday.  Simba will now take on Stade Malien while the Angolans host Esperance in Luanda this weekend.

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