Why Bernard Morrison’s absence gives Bucs an edge over Simba | African News

Steve Komphela once famously said: “Statistics are like a bikini; they don’t reveal everything.” But in this case, they do reveal Bernard Morrison’s impact on Simba SC in the Caf Confederations Cup in detail.

The Ghanaian striker has proven to be a key weapon for Wekundu wa Msimbazi with three goals and two assists in eight games in the Confed Cup. The former Orlando Pirates midfielder won a penalty when the Tanzanian giants beat his former club Orlando Pirates 1-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium last Sunday in the first leg of the quarterfinal clash.

The good news for Pirates is that Morrison won’t be available for the return leg on Sunday evening (18:00) at Orlando Stadium as he is banned from entering South Africa by the Department of Home Affairs.

Morrison parted ways with Pirates in 2018, and as he was leaving OR Tambo international airport in October 2018, he was declared an undesirable person in SA in terms of Section 30(1)(h) and Regulation 27(3) as set out in the Immigration Amendment Act.

The talented midfielder: overstayed in SA by almost two months after the expiry of his visa. And his undesirable status will be lifted in 2024. That is when he will be allowed to re-enter SA.

With Morrison unable to travel to SA, Evans Mhando, a journalist with Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation, said his absence was a massive blow as it limits Simba’s attacking options.

“Bernard Morrison is an experienced player in African tournaments. He played in different leagues in Africa, in Congo, South Africa, and Tanzania, so he brings a lot of experience, especially in the attacking force,” Mhando told FARPost.

“Morrison is the only player for Simba who scores goals in away matches. He scored in Niger against US Gendarmerie in the Group stage, so I think the Simba coach has something to do as he needs someone who will create chances.

“Bernard is a significant player, and I don’t know what will Simba do without him but they will change their formation against Pirates. Tanzanians need Morrison to help Simba, but Simba will do something without Morrison,” concluded Mhando.

The mission for Pirates will be to overturn the 1-0 deficit by emerging victorious while avoiding conceding, which could complicate their path to the semifinals of the competition.

A positive for the Soweto giants is that Simba’s form away from home is poor as they failed to register a win on the road during their Confed Cup group stage campaign.

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