Simba Queens revived their Women’s Champions League knockout stage hopes with a 2-0 win over Determine Girls and head coach Charles Lukula is confident his side can progress when they face Green Buffaloes at Grand Stade de Marrakech.
After two matches, Simba are in third place tied on three points with second-placed Buffaloes but behind by one goal difference and will require an outright win to guarantee their progression on Saturday.
And the Ugandan tactician has declared that their final group tie against the Zambian Army a must-win game if they wish to keep their Women’s Champions League campaign alive.
“I know my game against [Green Buffaloes] is going to be a Cup final because we both have the same points but they have a better goal difference,” Lukula said during the press conference.
“We just need a win or else we are out of the competition, so this is a must-win for us if we want to qualify. We have to have a lot of concentration and we know we are playing a better team than our last opponent [Determine Girls].
“Buffaloes have so much strength in terms of attack but we have a very good defence and I believe in my players.”
Before triumph over Determine Girls, the CECAFA champions suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to hosts AS FAR in Rabat and coach Lukula offered reasons for their sluggish start.
“In our last two games, we are equally playing well and creating many chances but the problem has been converting. In the last game, we managed to also create some chances and scored two of them.
“It is a motivation going into the match against Buffaloes. Even in the first game, all of a sudden we conceded a penalty due to a mixup in the defence,” he continued.
“In the first game, everyone was asking where are we going to get the goals but I think it was because of the pressure of the high level of competition.
“It was the first tournament for most of the girls. The team is playing well and I am very confident we will have a good outing against Buffaloes.”
Philomena Abakah missed action in the opening loss to the Moroccans but came on as a 72nd minute substitute in the emphatic victory over the Liberian and WAFU-A champions.
And the 20-year-old Ghanaian forward also stressed the views of her coach, noting that their meeting with the COSAFA champions will be a make-or-mar showdown.
“I think we are fully prepared as this match is a must-win for us. Our technical crew and the players are ready for the match,” said Abakah.
“I know at the end of the day, we will come out victorious. We know this match will decide whether we will remain in the competition or not.”
Source: Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF)