AFTER returning to winning ways in the NBC Premier League, Simba SC’s manager of information and communication, Ahmed Ally, has urged the outfit’s fans to support their team against Azam FC today.

The two teams meet at the Benjamin Mkapa for a tense realistic top-two finish clash, as hosts Azam have 57 points in the second place and Simba in the third place with 54 points.

The manager said his side's fans should be behind the squad and show up in big numbers in their game against Azam to push for the league title and CAF Champions League group stage berth.

Simba were eliminated in the CRDB Federation Cup round of 16 against 10 men Mashujaa at Lake Tanganyika Stadium recently, and the club is facing vanishing title hopes.

However, Ally said the club will keep striving hard to ensure they finish in the top two places so that they can play in the CAF Champions League next season.

"Once you become a football fan you must face two things, sorrow and happiness, that is given. We, as Simba SC, are struggling at the moment in terms of the goals we had this season, we have not fulfilled our plans at all. The season has not gone well for us.

“We know our fans are not happy with the current situation but we want to make sure we rise above moments like this and make sure the club succeeds and we need their support in stadiums. 

“We need our fans to show up for their team, and to come in big numbers because we still have a chance to finish in the top two places and play CAF Champions League next season," he remarked.

Ally said their team is ready to compete against Azam who are high-flying in the NBC Premier League this season with four points ahead of Simba.

A victory for Simba would narrow the gap to just one point behind Azam who have 57 points from 24 games.

“Our goal is to make sure we win every game. Azam are at the top of their form and that's not a secret. We need to prepare well for the game. We know our players and technical bench understand what is in front of us. We are optimistic that we have the best possible squad to do the job and we are ready," he said.

Simba are expected to field a full-fit available squad with DR Congo defender Henock Inonga expected to start after returning to full fitness in partnership with Che Malone Fondoh.

While injured attacking midfielder Clatous Chama serves his last three-match suspension against Azam FC, Freddy Kouablan is expected to lead the front line after regaining his goal-scoring form, 

Eliud Balua is set to play as the right winger while Willy Onana could be in the left flank.