Simba dares another Casablanca quest against Wydad in quarter finals

Can Clatous Chama fire Simba into CAF Champions League last four? | Photo Credit: Courtesy

CAF CL Simba dares another Casablanca quest against Wydad in quarter finals

Shafic Kiyaga • 11:37 - 06.04.2023

Simba SC is familiar with the surroundings in Casablanca, having already faced off with Wydad's arch-rivals Raja in the group stages, losing 3-1 in Casablanca.

East African football fans will have their eyes on Simba SC as the Tanzanian side prepares to take on defending champions Wydad Casablanca in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Simba SC is the only remaining representative from East Africa in the competition, after Uganda Premier League Champions Vipers SC faltered in the group stages.

Simba SC is familiar with the surroundings in Casablanca, having already faced off with Wydad's arch-rivals Raja in the group stages, losing 3-1 in Casablanca.

However, the last time Simba faced Wydad was in the 2011 season in a special play-off match, which Wydad won 3-0.

The Tanzanian side will be hoping to turn the tables this time around and advance to the semi-finals, which remains the club’s sole objective this season.

Simba SC has been in impressive form so far this season, finishing second in their group behind Raja Casablanca with ten points.

They will be buoyed by their recent domestic form, having won their last three games in the Tanzanian Premier League, scoring eight goals in the process.

Wydad Casablanca, on the other hand, will be looking to defend their title and continue their impressive form in the competition.

They finished top of their group with 13 points, winning four of their six games and scoring 11 goals in the process.

They will be confident of their chances against Simba SC, but the Tanzanian side will be determined to cause an upset and advance to the next round.

The first leg of the quarter-final clash will be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, before traveling to the Muhammad V Complex for a third time this season.

In another quarter-final fixture, record champions Al Ahly and Morocco's Raja Casablanca will face off for a second consecutive season. Ahly will host the first leg in Egypt.

Al Ahly emerged victorious in the two sides' clash last season, winning 3-2 on aggregate.

Raja Casablanca, who are unbeaten in the competition this season, will be out to exact revenge on Ahly, who squeezed through to the last eight on the last day of the group stages.

Meanwhile, 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns will continue their surge for a second title with an away trip to Algeria against CR Belouizdad.

Denis Onyango’s Sundowns finished top of their group with 13 points, winning four of their six games and scoring nine goals in the process.

They will be looking to continue their impressive form against Belouizdad, who finished second in their group behind Esperance de Tunis.

Another North African clash will see JS Kabylie host Esperance de Tunis in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

JS Kabylie finished second in their group behind Wydad Casablanca, while Esperance finished top of their group with 13 points, winning four of their six games and scoring 12 goals in the process.

The quarter-finals are scheduled for the weekend of April 21-22, with the return fixtures a week later.

The winner of the quarter final between Ahly and Raja will play the winner between Kabylie and Esperance, while the winner of the clash between Simba and Wydad will face the winner between Mamelodi and Belouizdad.

The semi-finals will be played on May 12-13, with the second leg a week later.

Full TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Draw
QF1. Simba SC vs Wydad Athletic
QF2. Al Ahly vs Raja Club Atjletic
QF3. CR Belouizdad vs Mamelodi Sundowns
QF4. JS Kabylie vs Esperance du Tunis

 

CAF Champions League Semi finals
QF4 vs QF2
QF1 vs QF3

Related content