The Simba SC and Stellenbosch FC CAF Confederation Cup semi-final clash has been moved to Zanzibar. The Tanzanian giants faced a venue dilemma ahead of the potentially explosive encounter.
Simba, coached by Fadlu Davids, hosts Stellies on Sunday before visiting the Winelands outfit a week later in Cape Town. Ordinarily, Wekundu Wa Msimbazi would have used Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, their Dar es Salaam fortress.
However, the stadium is temporarily closed for maintenance work and will not be ready at the weekend. The game has since been moved to the 15,000-seater Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
IS THE SWITCH TO ZANZIBAR AN ADVANTAGE TO STELLENBOSCH FC?
Prominent Tanzanian analyst Salum Pelembo, a pundit for Magic FM and Channel 10, believes the change of venue will give visitors a slight advantage.
“I believe it could be advantageous for Stellenbosch, as I don’t think this will feel like a home game for Simba, unlike at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Benjamin Mkapa is a fortress for Simba,” Pelembo told FARPost.
“Of course, wherever Simba goes, they have a large fanbase, and it always feels like home. It won’t be entirely new for them since Zanzibar is essentially the same as mainland Tanzania.
“You’ll notice that even in Zanzibar, they will fill the stadium. The stadium has a relatively small capacity of 15,000. It might have posed a challenge if Stellenbosch were at the 60,000-seater Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. The Amaan Stadium has not been used since the upgrade from artificial turf to the natural grass we see now. This will be the first match to be hosted there.”
The reverse fixture is set to be hosted at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday 27 April. This is the Steve Barker-coached side’s maiden continental club campaign. They will be looking to make history and go all the way to the final.
On the other hand, Davids is also in his first season at Simba, and a final appearance would cap off a successful season.
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