SIMBA Sports Club have officially launched a grand mobilization campaign ahead of their crucial CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final match against Egyptian side Al Masry.

The club has also announced ticket prices for the highly anticipated encounter set to take place at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on April 9.

Simba’s squad is scheduled to depart for Egypt in the early hours of March 28 aboard an Egypt Air flight. 

The team will be reinforced by players who were on international duty with Tanzania’s national team, Taifa Stars, during their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Morocco. These players will join the squad directly in Egypt.

Additionally, Guinea’s Moussa Camara and Uganda’s Steven Mukwala have already arrived in Tanzania and have integrated with the rest of the team in preparation for the trip. 

The club is ensuring that all players are in top form ahead of the first leg of the quarter-finals, which will take place at Suez Stadium on April 2.

Simba have released the official ticket prices for the second-leg fixture against Al Masry, urging fans to purchase their tickets early to avoid last-minute congestion. 

The pricing is as follows: Mzunguko: TSH 5,000, Orange: TSH 10,000, VIP C: TSH 15,000, VIP B: TSH 30,000, VIP A: TSH 40,000, Platinum: TSH 150,000, Tanzanite: TSH 250,000.

Ticket sales have already commenced, with fans encouraged to secure their seats early to ensure a packed stadium for the crucial fixture.

In a bid to ensure maximum attendance, Simba have initiated an extensive fan mobilization campaign that involves visiting the club’s branches and engaging with supporters at the grassroots level. 

The club aims to attract between 50,000 and 60,000 fans to Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to create an electrifying atmosphere.

“We are putting in a lot of effort to encourage our fans to turn up in large numbers,” said Simba SC’s spokesperson, Ahmed Ally. “We are working closely with our supporters’ branches and will take the campaign to the streets to ensure we have a fully packed stadium.”

Ally also addressed concerns regarding the readiness of Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for the crucial fixture.

“The stadium has already undergone inspection, and while we are still waiting for official results, preliminary discussions indicate significant improvements compared to the last assessment,” Ally stated. 

“You will recall that the government spokesperson assured us that the stadium is ready. We are not waiting; our preparations are in full swing.”

Regarding the condition of Simba’s defender Che Malone Fondor, Ally provided an update on his recovery.

“Our player, Che Malone, is currently in Morocco receiving medical treatment. Our medical team will update us on when he will be ready to return to action,” he said.

The double-legged quarter-final tie against Al Masry is a crucial opportunity for Simba to continue their pursuit of continental glory. 

The second-leg match in Dar es Salaam on April 9 will determine whether Simba advance to the semi-finals, marking another significant milestone in the club’s history.

Simba have previously reached the final of this competition in 1993, when it was known as the African Cup Winners’ Cup. The club is now determined to rewrite history and achieve another remarkable feat in African football.

With an away fixture in Egypt on April 2 and the decisive home match on April 9, Simba are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for a semi-final berth.