By Emmanuel Muga BBC Sport, Dar es Salaam

Simba are in search of a striker

Tanzania's Simba SC has failed to sign Kenyan striker Dennis Oliech for the Champions League.

The 19-year-old player, currently based in Qatar, said he is going for club trials in Europe.

Oliech was in Nairobi for Kenya's Nations Cup qualifier against Togo, where Simba officials approached him.

"He told us he couldn't take up our offer because he was on his way to France and there was no way he could turn back," Simba deputy secretary general Marco Masanja told BBC Sport website.

The Kenyan forward made his local league debut for Mathare United last year, where his impressive form earned him a call-up to the national team.

The Tanzanians are in a desperate search for strikers to sharpen their attack.

Meanwhile, Simba officials say Caf has reconsidered its ban on the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, which had been declared unsuitable for Champions League games.

Simba's Champions League fixtures

Club secretary Kassim Dewji, who was in Egypt when Caf made the decision, said they have been given more time to renovate the pitch.

According to Dewji, Caf would inspect the ground on 5 August and would approve its use if the renovations meet their required standards.

But if the ban on the ground is upheld, Simba will shift their home venue to distant Mwanza.