Gomes: Simba More Than Ready To Face Kaizer Chiefs

Simba Sports Club coach Didier Gomes is breathing fire ahead of their African Champions League quarterfinal clash against Kaizer Chiefs later this month.

The Tanzanian giants were paired against the South African side in knockout stage draw that was held in Cairo last Friday.

Simba made to the last eight after finishing top of Group A that also had reigning champions Al Ahly of Egypt. The Msimbazi Reds garnered 13 points, while Kaizer Chiefs finished second in Group C behind runaway leaders Wydad Casablanca.

Gomes now believes Simba has what it takes to beat Kaizer Chiefs, a side that is participating in the African Champions League knockout stages for the first time in history.

“We have our ambitions and want to go far in the competition,” Gomes told CAF Online.

“We are ready to face Kaizer Chiefs, and if we qualify, we will be ready for either opponent. The quarterfinal will not be easy and afterwards we will think of the next step.

“ I’m confident Simba can go very far this season.”

Simba are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League for a third time. They participated in the 1994 and 2018-19 season where they lost to Nkana Red Devils and TP Mazembe respectively.

The Msimbazi Reds will travel to South Africa for the first leg set to be played on 14-15 May before hosting the second leg a week later at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on 21-22 May.

The aggregate winners of the tie will face either MC Alger or Wydad in the semifinals.