Simba SC head coach Steven Barker has made his position clear ahead of the match against FC 15 de Agosto de Akonibe, insisting that his squad must be ready to fight for victory despite playing the first leg without fans.
Simba are set to face the Equatorial Guinea side in the first leg of their CAF Champions League tie on Wednesday, October 21, at 4:00 p.m. at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
However, the match is expected to be played behind closed doors following a request made by 15 de Agosto representatives during preparations for the two-legged tie.
"The presence of fans is an important part of Simba's strength, especially in major international matches that demand enthusiasm, commitment and confidence from the players."
"Simba supporters have played a major role in motivating this team whenever it takes to the pitch. Their absence will present a slight challenge, but it will not change our determination to fight for a positive result," he said.
Despite his disappointment at the prospect of playing in front of empty stands, Barker has urged his players to focus on carrying out their responsibilities on the pitch rather than allowing the match conditions to affect their preparations.
Simba enter this stage on the back of an impressive performance in the previous round, having eliminated Malawi's Mighty Wanderers with a 7-1 aggregate victory.
In the first leg, played away from home on September 6, the Msimbazi Reds secured a 1-0 win before continuing their dominance in the return leg with a convincing 6-1 victory.
Those results enabled Simba to continue their CAF Champions League campaign, but they now face a new test against 15 de Agosto.
