After landing in Gaborone yesterday, Simba SC have today traveled to Francistown in preparation for their CAF Champions League preliminary round first-leg tie against Gaborone United on Saturday.
Francistown is located approximately 436 kilometers from Gaborone. Moving the game away from the capital could be seen as a tactical move by the hosts to fatigue Simba players, who are coming off the back of a grueling derby clash against Yanga.
Simba, who reached last season’s CAF Confederation Cup final, have arrived in Botswana with high ambitions of making a strong start to their CAFCL campaign. However, their opponents Gaborone United — reigning champions of the Botswana Premier League (FNB Premiership) — also have set their sights on advancing to the group stage.
Defender Tatenda Gora, who was voted the league’s Best Defender last season, told the club’s official website that their preparations are complete and morale is high:
“We want to reach the group stage. We are ready to face Simba with hunger and determination, showing our strength so that we can progress,” he said.
For Simba, experience in continental competitions could prove crucial as they look to secure a positive result away before the return leg at home. Playing in Francistown rather than Gaborone may present an added challenge, but coach Fadlu Davids’ men have shown they can adapt to any ground and deliver results.
