Caf Champions League: 'I want to help Simba SC reach semis' - Gikanji

Simba SC-bound midfielder Doxa Gikanji has set his sights on helping the team reach the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League.

The Democratic Republic of Congo player is currently helping his team in the African Nations Championship in Cameroon and is set to complete his move to the Tanzanian heavyweights in the next few days.

The former Tout Puissant Mazembe player has now targeted helping the team better the 2018/19 season, where they reached the quarter-finals of Africa's club elite competition. 

"I know Simba well and I remember there is a season they reached the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League," Gikanji said as quoted by Sports Xtra.

"So as the new player in the team, I will do everything within my power with the help of my teammates to reach greater heights. My main aim is to surpass the quarter-finals target and help Simba to re-write history by qualifying for the semi-finals of the competition."

The Tanzania Mainland League champions were pooled with the Democratic Republic of Congo outfit in Group A alongside defending champions Al Ahly and Sudanese heavyweights El-Merreikh in a draw conducted at the Caf headquarters in Cairo, Egypt on Friday, January 8.

In an initial interview, former Yanga SC coach Zahera Mwinyi insists Wekundu wa Msimbazi have a great chance because a lot has changed from when the teams last met in 2018 when the Congolese side lost 2-1 away before claiming a 5-0 win at home.

"I believe Simba have a great chance of winning [against Vita],"  Zahera opined on the scheduled meeting.

"A lot has changed since the last time the two teams met. Vita have done many massive changes."

The tactician went on to explain why the Black Dolphins have a slim chance of defeating the Msimbazi-based charges.

"I don't see any chances of [Vita] defeating Simba this season because the latter have experienced players who have been together for a long time," Zahera continued.

"It is not the case with Vita who have many new players with less experience in continental assignments."

While Simba are in the Champions League, Namungo are taking part in the Caf Confederation Cup.