THIS Friday will be D-Day for Simba SC as they seek to get the better of Egyptian behemoths Al Ahly in the first leg of their greatly awaited two-legged CAF Champions League quarterfinal tie.

With the first leg slated to take place this Friday at the majestic Benjamin Mkapa Stadium here in Dar es Salaam, Tanzanian supporters are undoubtedly on tenterhooks as Al Ahly is not just a run-of-the-mill club.

Indeed, Al Ahly is indisputably the most successful club in African football lore as the Egyptian juggernauts have gloriously claimed more CAF Champions League trophies than any other side in the eventful history of continental football.

In light of that, one does not need to be a first-rate neurosurgeon to see that this Friday’s clash will be a colossal encounter for Simba SC as they will be facing off against an impeccable opponent whose hunger for success is famously insatiable.

It is hoped then that the Benjamin Mkapa stadium will be packed to the gills with Simba SC devotees this Friday, whose loud cheering will hopefully spur the Msimbazi street side to ultimately prevail in the first leg.

With regards to reigning national champions Young Africans SC, alias Yanga, the Jangwani Street outfit will lock horns with Mamelodi Sundowns this Saturday in the first leg of their consequential CAF Champions League quarterfinal tie.

Like Simba SC, Yanga will host the classy South African side Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg at the magnificent Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Sundowns will be daunting opponents for Yanga to face as, apart from lifting the CAF Champions League trophy a couple of years ago, the South African powerhouses have seemingly secured countless South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles as well.

That being said, this is not to suggest that Yanga will meekly capitulate to Mamelodi Sundowns even though the sterling South African club is truly a force to be reckoned with.

Indeed, lest we forget, Yanga is a football club with strength in depth and one hopes that in their first leg against Sundowns this Saturday the Jangwani Street side can put their highly regarded South African opponents on the back foot right from the off.

Let us now ponder on the fortunes of our national football team, Taifa Stars, who were slugging it out against European opponents Bulgaria in their opening FIFA Series 2024 contest last Friday.

Sadly, although Taifa Stars ultimately suffered a slim 1-0 defeat, there were still a few encouraging positives that could be drawn from the Stars’ overall display.

For example, in the 15th minute following a lovely move, Kibu Dennis unleashed a powerful shot that unfortunately struck the woodwork.

And, after the Bulgarians had taken the lead in the 51st minute, it was distinctly pleasing to note that Taifa Stars did not merely roll over for their opponents to further subdue them.

In fact, to the contrary, Stars earnestly sought an equalizer in the aftermath of Bulgaria’s goal and the Tanzanians agonizingly missed the target by a whisker when Clement Mzize’s shot struck the crossbar in the dying minutes of the fascinating battle.

All in all, then, despite losing the exciting football contest, there should be plenty of vital lessons for Taifa Stars’ technical bench to chew on.