Yanga humiliate Simba 5-1 to top Mainland Premier League
What you need to know:
- Today’s result was sweet revenge for Yanga’s 5-0 drubbing by Simba at the same venue back in 2012. It was also one of Simba’s heaviest defeats in the league in recent years.
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) today, November 5, 2023, stormed to the top of the Mainland Premier League when they hammered bitter rivals Simba SC 5-1 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Yanga replaced Azam FC at the top of the table with 21 points from eight matches, while Simba are third with 18 points from seven matches. Azam FC are in second place with 19 points from nine matches.
Today’s result was sweet revenge for Yanga’s 5-0 drubbing by Simba at the same venue back in 2012.
It was also one of Simba’s heaviest defeats in the league in recent years.
Yanga broke the deadlock in the third minute through Kennedy Musonda following a good pass from Kouassi Attohoula, but Simba drew level six minutes later through Kibu Dennis after Saido Ntibazonkiza put him in the clear.
The second half was forgettable for the Msimbazi Street outfit after Yanga scored four unanswered goals.
Max Nzengeli put Yanga ahead again in the 64th after latching onto a pass from Stephane Aziz Ki.
Yanga celebrated their third goal in the 74th minute through Aziz Ki following a good pass from Clement Mzize, before Nzengeli scored the fourth in the 78th after a pinpoint pass from Mzize.
Yanga’s fifth goal was scored by Pacome Zouzoua through a penalty in the 87th minute. Referee Ahmed Arajiga awarded Yanga the spotkick after Henock Inonga fouled Nzengeli.
Yanga’s head coach, Miguel Gamondi, commended his players for doing a good job despite strong challenges from Simba.
“My players deserve compliments for the big victory against their traditional giants. It is a historical win, and we need to maintain it,” said Gamondi.
Simba head coach Roberto Oliviera, alias Robertinho, admitted the defeat, saying they made mistakes and allowed Yanga to win the match.
The league continues tomorrow in different venues, whereby at Nyankumbu Stadium, Geita Gold FC will host Tabora United at 4pm. Another match is between Mashujaa FC and Singida Fountain Gate at the Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma.
The matches are very important for all teams to target victories in order to improve their chances in the league standings.
Geita Gold FC are placed in the 15th position with six points from eight matches, while Tabora United are in the eighth position with 10 points from eight matches. The match is crucial for Geita Gold’s head coach, Hemed Morocco, who has led the team to win one match out of eight they have played. Geita Gold FC have lost four matches while drawing three. I’m aware that it is going to be a tough game since Tabora United also target victory. We have taken all precautions, and we are expecting a tough encounter," said Morocco.
He said his players are ready to play at their best in order to emerge victorious in an expected thrilling match. "We need to prove our worth in the encounter and rectify all the mistakes that we made in the past matches,” he said.
Tabora United head coach Goran Kopunović said they are ready for the encounter and target the best results. Kopunovic stressed that his players are psyched up to face Geita Gold FC, and victory is a must.
"We know that it is not going to be a walk in the park. Geita Gold FC have good players, but my men are determined to record a win," said Kopunovic.
