In a vibrant display of support, fans of Simba Sports Club proudly adorned the team’s red and white colours as they eagerly queued up for tickets to witness the first match of the highly anticipated African Football League. Hosted by Tanzania, this event brought together eight of the continent’s premier football clubs, igniting the spirit of football enthusiasts.
The stage was set in Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium for the historic clash between Simba Sports Club and Egypt’s formidable Al Ahly. The first leg of this two-part showdown ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, captivating a passionate audience that included FIFA President Gianni Infantino and tens of thousands of Simba Sports Club supporters, hailing from East Africa’s leading football club.
The Benjamin Mkapa stadium was packed to capacity for the launch of this prestigious tournament, a creation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with the objective of enhancing the quality of football across Africa and fostering the financial growth of participating clubs.
Tanzanian fans draped in their team’s signature red and white, converged from all corners of the country to be part of this spectacle. The enthusiasm was palpable as they arrived at the 60,000-seat stadium as early as 8:00 local time, a full ten hours before the kick-off.
The African Football League promises to be a platform for showcasing the continent’s footballing talent and promoting unity and competition among the best clubs. As the tournament progresses, fans can look forward to more exhilarating encounters and unforgettable moments that celebrate the beautiful game.