Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Majuto Omary
Published on 2024-03-03 08:43:44
In a historic moment for Tanzanian football, traditional rivals Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba have achieved a remarkable feat by both making it to the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League. This accomplishment has placed Tanzania among the elite group of countries that have successfully entered two teams into the quarterfinals of the prestigious tournament. Yanga, the defending champions of the Tanzania Mainland League, secured their spot in the quarterfinals by finishing second in Group D with eight points, while Simba also advanced after placing second with nine points in Group B.
This achievement by Yanga and Simba has drawn comparisons to Sudan, another country that managed to field two teams in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals at two separate instances in 2009 and 2015 through their renowned clubs, Al Hilal and Al Merrikh. Sudan’s success in achieving this feat has made them the only country represented in the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (Cecafa) to qualify for the CAF Champions League quarterfinals.
Yanga has a rich history in the CAF Champions League, being the first Tanzanian team to reach the group stage of the tournament back in 1998. They secured their place by defeating Coffee of Ethiopia with a convincing 8-2 goal aggregate, showcasing their potential on the continental stage. Simba, on the other hand, made history in the 2003 CAF Champions League edition by eliminating the defending champions, Zamalek of Egypt, and progressing to the group stage.
The success of Yanga and Simba has elevated Tanzania’s status in the East Africa Community, as they become the only countries in the region to have two teams in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals. This accomplishment sets them apart from their neighboring countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, who have not managed to field two teams in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Egypt holds the record for fielding two teams in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals the most number of times, achieving this feat on eight occasions. Tunisia follows closely behind with seven instances, while countries like Algeria, Morocco, DR Congo, and South Africa have also managed to enter two teams in the quarterfinals at least once.
As Yanga and Simba aim to make a mark in the upcoming CAF Champions League quarterfinals, they carry the hopes and pride of Tanzanian football fans. Their success serves as a testament to the growing quality and competitiveness of football in Tanzania, as they continue to make strides on the continental stage.
Read the original article on The Citizen
