Sofapaka’s super date with Simba

By JAMES WAINDI IN KIGALI

Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions Sofapaka cut their celebrations short to brave a chilly morning weather to prepare for their next assignment against Tanzanian champions Simba this afternoon at the Nyamirambo Stadium.

The Kenyan champions who are currently placed seventh in the local league, put aside their home problems to kick off the Cecafa Kagame Club Championships with a resounding 3-0 win over Uganda champions Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) on Monday for a dream start in the Group of death, but the celebration did not last for long as coach Sam Ssimbwa took them for an early morning training at the Amahoro artificial grounds to prepare for their second group match which he terms crucial.

A win against Simba today would guarantee Sofapaka a quarter-final slot and coach Sam Ssimbwa has vowed to win the match at all costs to be safe ahead of a clash with his former club and reigning regional champions Atraco in their final group match.

"Tomorrow’s match is very vital for us. I said I want to win all the matches in this group to finish top of the group and after Simba beat defending champions Atraco yesterday, we have to seal our quarterfinals slot early before we meat Atraco in the group’s final match," he said.

"Football is funny and I can’t write off Atraco even after they lost their opening match.

"Last year they started the tournament badly and even qualified for the quarters as the best third-placed team.

"Then they went all the way to lift the trophy. I know they are wounded after losing to Simba and they will fight hard in their remaining group matches," said Ssimbwa.

The coach, who held a special session for his strikers, said they could have beaten URA 6-0 if his players had taken their chances and noted that he had worked on the finishing.

"We wasted a host of chances against URA, but we have worked on that and I expect my strikers to be more lethal tomorrow," he said.

Group of death

"Simba are very fast on the ball but we have strategy for them. We need an early goal to be in charge of the match," said Ssimbwa.

Captain James Situma exuded confidence ahead of the clash and said they were not cowed by the fact that they are debutants in the event.

Debutants Sofapaka are considered as underdogs in the group of death, since Simba has won the regional title seven times, Atraco are the reigning champions and URA won it in 2007.

"We played Simba during the Tusker Cup at their home turf in Dar es Salaam in December and we drew 0-0. We know their way of play and I am confident we will pip them tomorrow.

"Despite being debutants at the event, most of our players are very experienced having played for the national team and at international levels with different clubs so we are capable of stopping any team in this competition," said Situma.

The tournament will end next weekend.