CAFCC: Simba SC vs Orlando Pirates Line-Ups

Simba SC host Orlando Pirates in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final with 60 000 thousand fans packed inside the Benjamin Mkapa on Sunday afternoon.

In the build-up to the fixture, Pirates suffered a major blow with left-back Paseko Mako suffering a horrific face and nose fracture injury against Baroka in mid-week before their travels to East Africa.

And in the build-up to the fixture they allegedly received only one motorbike to serve as a convoy in preparation for their game in Dar es Salaam.

While co-head coach Mandla Ncikazi said it won’t affect what they can do on the pitch today, his fellow coach Fadlu Davids is aware of the hostile atmosphere Simba will create today.

“When you facing a full stadium and an opponent that has 60,000 behind them, we have to play football and at moments you get the crowd frustrated and against their team,” Davids said ahead of the game.

“So it’s about us looking after the ball, it’s about us playing our football, players have to be mentally strong today – sometimes the crowd can erupt from a small opportunity and you think you’re under pressure but you’re not actually.

“You have to really control your thinking, play the tactical instructions that are required and not get overwhelmed by the crowd,” he concluded for the match that kicks off at 18h00.

How the teams’ line-up:

Simba XI: Manula, Morrison, Lwanga, Wawa, Mugalu, Kapombe, Husseini (c), Sakho, Mkude, Baka, Banda

Subs: Mwenda, Bwalya, Kagere, Nyoni, Said, Juma, Mhilu, Kakolanya, Prosper.

Orlando Pirates XI: Ofori; Shandu, Nyauza, Jele, Maela; Ndlovu, Mosele, Monare; Dlamini, Hotto, Peprah.

Subs: Mpontshane; Hlatshwato, Mabaso, Sam, Motshwari, Makaringe, Mntambo, Lorch Lepasa.