CRDB Federation Cup: Why Simba SC versus Bigman was awkward – Davids

Fadlu Davids (centre): Photo Credit - Simba SC Tanzania.

Simba SC coach Fadlu Davids believes their rescheduled CRDB Federation Cup fixture against Bigman should have been given a different date as they were already focused on facing Al Masry of Egypt in the Caf Confederation Cup.

The Msimbazi Reds came up against Bigman in the round of 32 and managed a 2-1 win to advance to the next stage of the domestic competition at KMC Stadium on Thursday. The fixture, came just a few days before Simba return to Confederaiton Cup with a quarter-final fixture against the North African side.

They will come against the Egyptian side in the first leg of the quarter-final clash at the New Suez Stadium on Wednesday, 2 April, before they return home to host the same side in the return leg on Wednesday, 9 April.

“A very awkward fixture that was put in while we are preparing for Al Masry and it was very difficult for us to plan, we were already planning for Al Masry and then the fixture came, and now switching to the Cup game and the players were playing with a lot of fear, so as not to get injured, not to hurt themselves for the big clash,” Davids told Pan-Africa Football.

“You could see players like Elie (Mpanzu) with a few action in the beginning but very cautious, because the opponents was very aggressive as well. It was very important that we didn’t get anyone injured in this game, but anyway, job done, we qualify round, and the best way we wanted to do it is keep a clean sheet but at the end of the day we are through.”

The South African coach concluded: “Like I said, it was an awkward match at a very worst time, but we will have to work hard and freshen the players for the next assignment.”

Meanwhile, Bigman coach Zuberi Katwila attributed their defeat to Simba’s depth in squad. “They rested many players but even those, who came in are among the best in the Tanzania league, they were better than my side by very far,” said Katwila.

“Simba were good in all fronts, they dominated us from the onset, and their experience won them the game, congratulations to them for a good job done. It was a good experience for my players to come face to face with Simba and we will sit down and look at our mistakes and rectify them for the upcoming matches.”

Simba have already left Tanzania for Egypt ahead of the first leg encounter.