Simba team

Simba will need a straight win or a barren draw and avoid a 2-2 draw against Kiyovu to advance into the next stage of Confederation Cup.

The former Mainland champions host the Rwandese side in a preliminary round, return leg match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam today.

They drew 1-1 in the first leg match at Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali a fortnight ago.

Winners of today’s game will play ES Setif of Algeria in the first round whose first leg is slated for March 23 to March 25 and the return leg to be played between April 6 and 8.

Simba are expected to welcome back influential playmaker Haruna Moshi `Boban’ and defender Victor Costa who missed the first leg.

However, Ulimboka Mwakingwe and Juma Jabu are likely to miss the match as they nurse injuries.

Simba head coach Milovan Cirkovic said his players were in upbeat mood to use home ground advantage. “We are ready for the match. They are good but we will make sure that we tame them at home,” Milovan said.

The Serbian tactician will also depend on players such as goalie Juma Kaseja, Kelvin Yondani, Mwinyi Kazimoto, Uhuru Selemani, Gervas Sunzu and Emmanuel Okwi.

On his part, SC Kiyovu coach Baptist Kayiranga has backed his team to knock out the Msimbazi Street side in the return leg.

“We are focused and feel we can upset Simba in their backyard,” Kayiranga confidently said.