Yanga maintain supremacy over Simba with 2-1 victory

Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) have maintained supremacy over their traditional rivals, Simba SC, after recording a 2-1 victory today on April 20, 2024, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam in the ongoing Mainland Tanzania Premier League.

In the first leg held on November 5, 2023, Yanga won 5-1 at the same venue.

This marks Yanga’s 40th victory over Simba since 1965 in the history of the 112 matches they have played.

Simba have recorded 32 wins, with 40 draws. Yanga have scored 120 goals against Simba’s 105 in their head-to-head encounters.

The Jangwani Street lads have accumulated 160 points against Simba’s 136.

The victory also consolidates Yanga's dominance at the top spot with 58 points from 22 matches, 12 points ahead of Simba, who are currently placed third with 46 points.

 Azam FC hold the second position with 51 points from 23 matches played.

Simba started the match strongly but missed three clear scoring chances in the first 15 minutes.

The Msimbazi Street side's midfielder, Sadio Kanoute, missed a clear scoring chance in the second minute as his header was saved by Yanga goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.

Kanoute also missed another clear scoring chance two minutes later, shooting wide following a good pass from Saido Ntibazonkiza.

Yanga's defence seemed unstable, allowing Simba to continue pressing with Kibu Dennis failing to score in the 13th minute after shooting wide. Later, Clatous Chama's shot was saved by Diarra in the 14th minute.

The Jangwani Street side rejuvenated and began to take command of the game, with Clement Mzize, Maxi Nzengeli, and Stephane Aziz Ki pressing against Simba's defence.

Yanga celebrated their first goal through a penalty scored by Aziz Ki in the 19th minute.

The goal propelled the Burkinabe attacking midfielder to dominate the golden boot race with 14 goals, two ahead of Azam FC attacking midfielder Feisal Salum, who has so far scored 12 goals.

The match referee, Ahmed Arajiga, awarded Yanga a penalty following a foul play by Simba defender Hussein Kazi, who came off the bench to replace the injured Henoc Inonga Baka.

Yanga continued to dominate the game and celebrated their second goal through Joseph Guede after a good pass from Khalid Aucho.

Before scoring, Guede beat Simba goalkeeper Ayoub Lakred and scored easily.

Simba scored their consolation goal through Fred Michael in the 73rd minute after he was set clear by Clatous Chama.

Michael came off the bench in place of Ntibazonkiza in the 55th minute.

Yanga head coach Miguel Gamondi commended his players for their excellent performance in the encounter.

"We played with determination as we all wanted to secure the three points with the best football. All my players deserve compliments," said Gamondi.

For his part, Simba assistant coach Seleman Matola explained that his players lacked concentration after missing many clear scoring chances.