Uganda winger Emmanuel Okwi has said that he would not be surprised to see Tanzanian champions Simba SC reach the final of this season’s CAF Champions League.
Wekundu wa Msimbazi were fantastic in the group stage that saw them sail into the quarterfinals of the Africa’s premier club competition. Simba topped Group A ahead of reigning champions Al Ahly of Egypt, DR Congo’s AS Vita and Sudanese giants Al Merrikh.
Simba have reached the CAFCL quarterfinals once before, when the club qualified for the final eight in 2018-19, but Okwi, who played for Simba in three separate spells, reckons they are capable of going a lot further this season.
“Simba are a surprise to every football fan in Africa now, finishing as the Group A leaders in front of teams like Al Ahly and DR Congo’s AS Vita is no small feat, that shows that they are strong and are the best team in Africa now,” Okwi said.
“It will not be surprising to see them play in the final and even lift the trophy. They deserve a lot of success this season given how good their squad is.”
The Cranes player added, “In Tanzania I feel like home because I have lived with the country’s people well, and then I love it very much, especially Simba SC, which I played for, for a long time.
“I love it because it has changed my life for the most part, it has moreover given me the opportunity to get to where I am, so I am proud to love Simba.”
Okwi currently plays for Al Ittihad in the Egyptian Premier League.
The draw for the quarterfinals of the CAFCL will take place on 30th April, with Simba set to face either CR Belouizdad from Algeria, Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa or MC Alger of Algeria who finished as the three runners-up from Groups B, C and D respectively.
