Simba head coach Steve Barker has said that despite the difficulty of the group his team has been drawn into in the CAF Champions League, their main objective is to advance to the knockout stage.
The CAF Champions League group-stage draw for this season was held in Egypt yesterday, with Simba placed in Group C alongside RS Berkane, Orlando Pirates and Colombe.
Speaking about the group and his expectations, Barker said they would face opponents, some of whom they already know well.
He said the group would be highly competitive, but emphasised that to progress in the competition, Simba must get through the group stage regardless of the opposition they face.
"It is a difficult group, and all the teams are strong. I know RS Berkane very well; I faced them when I was at Stellenbosch. They are a good team."
"We will also face Orlando Pirates. I have played against them many times in South Africa. They are a good team, and everyone knows what they can do in competitions like this."
"There is also a new team in our group, Colombe from Cameroon. I think they will also provide strong competition."
"But the important thing is that, if you want to progress, you must get through the group stage regardless of the opposition you come up against."
"Our main objective is to get through this stage. We are determined to reach the knockout rounds. We believe in our ability as a team and in the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves this season. We want to go far," Barker said.
Simba have previously faced Orlando Pirates in the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup. The two-legged tie ended 1-1 on aggregate after 180 minutes, with Pirates advancing to the semi-finals after winning the penalty shootout.
Only one season has passed since Simba faced RS Berkane in the final of the same competition. Berkane won 3-1 on aggregate to lift the trophy in Zanzibar.
This presents the Msimbazi Reds with an opportunity to avenge those defeats against their opponents.
