Simba Bhora midfielder Never Tigere has issued a strong warning to his teammates, insisting that their CAF Champions League preliminary tie against Eswatini's Nsingizini Hotspurs remains delicately balanced despite the Zimbabwean champions carrying a narrow lead from the first leg.
A solitary strike by Ishmael Nyanhi in the first leg, played at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, is all that separates the two sides heading into today's decider.
The teams are set to clash this afternoon at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, with the aggregate winner progressing to the first round.
Kick-off is set for 3pm.
Tigere, one of the more seasoned campaigners in the Simba Bhora squad with three previous CAF Champions League appearances to his name, stressed that a significant effort is still required to secure passage to the next stage.
"We were very happy to get the first win of the campaign last week, but the job is not yet done," Tigere cautioned. "We still have a lot of work to do because we are not yet through. I'm appealing to the supporters to continue supporting us. We really appreciate their support from the first leg. We will do our part to make sure that they are happy."
Simba Bhora were forced to host their historic first Champions League home game in Francistown due to the lack of a CAF-certified pitch in Zimbabwe. Incredibly, a group of about 200 dedicated fans made the long trip from Harare to cheer on the team.
The players responded with a decent performance, one that perhaps should have yielded a bigger winning margin had they been more clinical in front of goal.
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Tigere, who joined the club at the start of the season, expressed his enjoyment at being part of the defending champions' historic continental debut.
"I'm happy to be here at Simba Bhora and to be part of the squad making history by participating in the Caf Champions League for the first time,” he said.
While he did not feature in the initial fixture, there is widespread expectation that coach Joel Luphahla will tap into the midfielder's vast experience for today’s crucial match.
"We will have to do all we can to make sure that we get the win,” he said.
“It would be really nice for a club of Simba's stature to qualify to the next stage, and ultimately the group stages."
Having played Champions League football previously with FC Platinum in Zimbabwe and Azam of Tanzania, Tigere understands that a 1-0 home victory is a notoriously fragile lead to defend away from home.
"I have been in these situations before and I know what needs to be done,” he said.
“I know how tough these away games can be. Everyone needs to work extra hard to make sure that we get over the line.
“This is what I have been telling the youngsters in the team, most of whom are playing Champions League football for the first time.
“They are excited that we managed to win the first game, but I have been telling them that there is still more work to be done because the job is not yet finished."
Meanwhile, Nsingizini Hotspurs coach Mandla Qhogi has warned that Simba Bhora will need to perform at their absolute best if they are to bypass his side and progress.
The South African coach remains confident in his team’s ability to overturn the deficit today.
"Definitely we have got a plan for them," he asserted. "They must come ready because we're not going to let them pass through easily.
“We are going to make it difficult for them. We are very determined and we are going to analyse very deep and we'll make sure that we go through."
The winner of this tense encounter will advance to the first round, where they will meet either Gaborone United of Botswana or Tanzanian giants Simba SC, with a coveted ticket to the group stages at stake.
