After respectively excelling in CAF
Champions League and Azam Sports Federation Cup, holders yanga and
Simba, will be out to make big statements in the title race on Saturday.
As derby fever rises, young Africans
opted for a low-key game with Ngaya de Mde in their return leg of CAF
Champions League, preliminary round tie so as to reserve energy for next
Saturday’s derby match against Simba.
young Africans were the shadow of the
side that cruised to an emphatic 5-1 first leg win away to the Comoro
minnows in Moroni as the Mainland envoys were made to fight for a 1-all
draw at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.
It was apparent that the Jangwani Street
lads had an eye on next weekend’s potential title decider against
archrivals Simba, and banking on their massive first leg win, they opted
to slow their tempo on Saturday’s return fixture.
young Africans assistant coach Juma
Mwambusi admitted that his side went into knowing their place into the
next round was secure and looked beyond that as a crucial showdown with
their title-rival Simba beckons.
Mwambusi said it was important for them
to avoid injuries and reserve energy ahead of the crucial game against
the Reds at the National Stadium. “We didn’t need to use a lot of energy
while we’re certain of qualification into the next round; the most
important thing for us was to avoid injuries.
We need to be in the best shape possible
for the game against Simba. “It is a very important game for us and we
must win it,” said Mwambusi, whose side are expected to cross the Ocean
to Pemba Island for residential camping in preparation for the
highly-anticipated derby clash. Simba lead the title race on 51 points
from 22 outings, two points ahead of yanga, who however, have a game in
hand. Whoever wins will take control of the title race.
In preparation for Saturday’s encounter,
Simba, who booked a Federation Cup quarterfinal berth with a 1-0 over
African Lyon last Thursday, instantly moved to the spicy Island of
Zanzibar, their common hunting ground for the derby match.
Simba head coach, Joseph Omog sees the
game as a must-win for his side, as he bids to end a four-year title
drought at the Msimbazi Street.
The Cameroonian guided Azam to their
maiden league title three in 2014 and will be eager to lift the title
with the Reds to enter the country’s history books as a foreign coach
who clinched the coveted domestic title with two different clubs.
The Simba-yanga derby is the most
intense, not only in Tanzania but in neighbouring countries as well and
while Saturday’s clash have a direct impact on the sides’ title chances,
for most it’s a question of local pride. It’s a rivalry that gives the
winner pride for the whole year, keep the smile on their fans’ faces and
give them a chance to mock their rival.
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