- Simba were beaten 5-1 by Yanga in the first leg
- Yanga lead the standings with a five-point gap
- The match will be played at 5pm
Having been thrashed 5-1 in the first leg of the highly billed Kariakoo Derby, Simba SC will be keen on earning revenge when they take on Yanga SC this weekend. Wekundu wa Msimbazi saw their league ambitions suffer a massive dent after that humiliating defeat against their arch rivals, but they will be out to exert revenge and get their respect back.
Coach Abdelhak Benchikha will be taking charge of his first derby, having joined Simba mid through the season. It was the 5-1 humbling by Yanga that cost his predecessor Roberto Oliveira the job, as he was fired immediately after.
Benchikha has taken his team to the island nation of Zanzibar for training for the entire week as he looks to put them into shape and he remains confident they can get one over Yanga.
Assistant captain Shomari Kapombe says the team has prepared well and they look to be in good spirits to battle for a win in the game.
“We have worked very well in training and we have addressed areas we felt we were not good enough and we have also strengthened areas that we are good at. The coaches have done their bit to prepare us and as players, the job is now on us to go in and get maximum points,” Kapombe said.
Simba third in the Tanzanian League standings
Simba SC head coach Abdelhak Benchikha and Clatous Chama. PHOTO/Simba
Simba are third in the Tanzanian Premier League log with 46 points, five behind leaders Yanga who have played a match more. A win in the derby will reduce the gap to two points and if they win their game in hand, then they will be top of the log.
This is just how crucial the game is and Simba will be going all out for a win.
Assistant coach Selemani Matola remains hopeful that his side will rise up to the occasion and take maximum points.
“We know the importance of this game as a team and we have prepared well. It is going to have a very big impact on the league title and that is why we are going to give our best,” said the tactician.
With Wekundu wa Msimbazi already out of the Cup contention, the league remains their only avenue for a title and they want to go all out for victory.
Meanwhile, Young Africans (Yanga) head coach Miguel Gamondi admits he expects a difficult duel against his arch rivals Simba SC, and it will not be smooth sailing despite having beaten them 5-1 in the first leg.
The Argentine coach is aware that Simba will come seeking revenge and has asked his side to be extra vigilant and not take the game lightly.
Difficult game against Simba
Yanga players warm up before a past match. PHOTO/Yanga
“We know it will be a very difficult game and Simba will come looking to play well and revenge for the first leg but we are ready. We have a very good team and we are not under any pressure. Everyone is calm and we will approach the game well,” the coach said ahead of the game.
He added; “We have trained well and prepared in a good way. We are confident in the strategy we have as a team.”
Yanga are keen to get a win in the game as it will help them push up the standings. They are currently five points ahead of Simba and a win will take that difference to eight.
Assistant captain Dickson Job says they are ready to do well.
“They are a good side and we are a good side too so it will not be an easy match for both teams. People might say we are the better team but we can’t listen to voices from outside. We are just going into the game to seek for three points,” the defender offered.
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