Simba has not already qualified – Pablo Martin

Simba SC

Saturday Dec 04, 2021. 13:00

Simba SC head coach Pablo Martin insists that his side must not take anything for granted in their CAF Confederation Cup playoff round, second-leg match against Red Arrows on Sunday.

The Tanzanian giants head to Zambia with a comfortable 3-0 lead from the first match in Dar es Salaam last weekend, with Bernard Morrison (two) and Meddie Kagere scoring the goals that have put Wekundu wa Msimbazi on the cusp of overall victory in the tie.

However, Martin has urged his side to keep up the fighting mentality for the return game against Arrows in Lusaka.

“Tactically it was a game that we prepared [for] but when we finally arrived here we realised that because of the weather condition the grass was waterlogged, we had to go for another plan,” Martin is quoted by IPP Media.

“In football, most of the time it is not only about the plan you have, it is also about whether you have a plan B, C.

“We knew how they were to play and this weather condition was perfect for their style of play. It was bad for our style of play, but even with that we got our act [together] quickly.

“We showed up brave, we fought from the beginning until the end. We scored three goals and I think we deserved to score even four or five. They didn’t create chances, maybe just one.

“I think due to the situation and the weather conditions, how my team is improving, how everyone wants to contribute, how everyone is fighting, I have to say I am happy… not very happy, because this is just one game.

“We have to go there and face a tough opponent. We have not already qualified, it is just 90 minutes, we need to be prepared [for Sunday].”

The aggregate winners of the tie will advance into the group stage of the Confederation Cup.