A Tanzanian politician has revealed he is happy Simba SC will be taking on Al Ahly in the opening match of the inaugural African Football League (AFL).
After several delays following its launch in August 2022, the African Football League is set to get underway on 20 October, with eight of the continent's biggest teams set to compete for the maiden title.
Read: BREAKING: CAF confirms next two AFCON hosts
The founding participants are Simba SC (Tanzania), Al Ahly (Egypt), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Esperance (Tunisia), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Enyimba (Nigeria), and Wydad Casablanca (Morocco).
The draw for the inaugural edition was completed on 2 September, with Simba and Al Ahly playing the curtain-raising fixture on 20 October, and the second leg of their quarter-final fixture being scheduled for 24 October.
The Egyptian giants have dominated continental football in recent times, and are the most successful team in the CAF Champions League with 11 titles.
However, Tanzania's minister of sports, Damas Ndumbaro, has revealed he is happy that his country's representatives Simba will play against arguably the tournament favourites in the competition opener.
"We will welcome Al Ahly in the first match in the history of the African Premier League championship. I think it will be a wonderful and beautiful match," he said, according to Egyptian news outlet Sada El Balad.
"The National Stadium in Tanzania is always filled with fans when Al Ahly plays there, the matches are always enjoyable, and Al Ahly and Simba will make history when they play the first match in the history of the African Premier League.
"It is a great honour for Simba, and a great honour for Tanzania to host this historic match.
"It will be a strong match between Al Ahly and Simba. We, in Dar es Salaam, call it the 'special African derby'.
"Al Ahly and Simba have faced each other on many occasions, especially in the African Champions League, and these matches are always characterised by strength and enjoyment.
"The fans are very enthusiastic and the atmosphere is very special. The two teams wear almost the same colour, and the relations between the two clubs are wonderful.
"Simba sold their player Luis Miquissone to Al Ahly, then they sold him back to Simba.
Read: 'Khama needs to be careful now'
"Simba Club is learning a lot from Al Ahly regarding how to succeed at the continental level. They have been providing consistent levels in the past five seasons and have reached the quarter-finals of the African Champions League.
"They want to provide better levels and to emulate Al Ahly, the most successful club in Africa."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: