Simba aren’t here by luck – John Bocco

Tanzania's John Bocco

Thursday May 13, 2021. 16:00

Simba SC striker John Bocco has warned CAF Champions League quarterfinal opponents Kaizer Chiefs that his team has not made this stage of the competition “by luck” but because of hard work and determination.

Tanzania’s Simba, who impressively topped their group ahead of reigning African champions Al Ahly, will face South African giants Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday in the first leg of their tie.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi have not been talked up as one of the favourites for the CAFCL title, but Bocco believes they are primed to make a further statement of intent.

“I have a strong belief we did not reach the quarterfinals by luck but we reached the stage because of the hard work we did and because of our determination to do well in the competition,” Bocco told Goal.

“When the season kicked off, the club had set their targets and for us is to make sure we reach those targets and we know with good preparations and teamwork we still have a good chance of going far in this competition, we are in a good position to do well.

“We are confident of getting a good result in South Africa, we know Kaizer Chiefs are a good side, we cannot underrate them, we have respect for them but remember we also have the targets we set before the season started and that is what we are chasing and what is motivating us to do well.

“We understand the game will be difficult, and we are now in a different stage, the knockout stage and not the group stage and that is a very different scenario we are facing now but we believe that from our side our preparations will help us, we are confident we are going for a win and we will return home victorious.”

The return game of the tie will be held in Dar es Salaam the following weekend, with the aggregate winner going on to face either MC Alger or Wydad Casablanca in the semis.