Yanga, Simba switch focus to Community Shield clash
Yanga and Simba official squads 204/2025.
What you need to know:
- The match, which is scheduled to take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium at 7 pm in Dar es Salaam, is a must-win for both teams to qualify for the finals on August 11 at the same venue
Dar es Salaam. After being busy with their anniversary celebrations, traditional arch-rivals Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba have switched their focus to August 8, 2024's Community Shield semifinal encounter.
The match, which is scheduled to take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium at 7 pm in Dar es Salaam, is a must-win for both teams to qualify for the finals on August 11 at the same venue.
The first semifinal will pit Azam FC against Coastal Union at the New Amaan Sports Complex in Zanzibar, starting at 4:15 pm on the same day.
Simba played against Rwandan champions APR to mark their 88th anniversary at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, winning 2-0. Yanga celebrated their 89th anniversary with a 2-1 victory over Zambia’s champions Red Arrows.
Yanga head coach Miguel Gamondi, stated that he respects Simba ahead of the encounter despite his dominance last season with a 5-1 victory in the first leg and a 2-1 win in the second leg.
“Simba have a good team, and you cannot underestimate them based on last season's results. We also lost on penalties in the Community Shield final match held in Tanga. In the encounter against Red Arrows, I managed to assess my players on how they follow my instructions, and the result was not my target. I have seen Simba facing APR and playing well. They have a good team with good players,” said Gamondi.
Simba head coach Fadlu Davids said they are ready for the encounter and will use the remaining two days to rectify their mistakes.
“I am still strengthening the team’ with skills, techniques, and tactics. I have yet to reach 100 percent on how the team players are supposed to play, but we are ready for the battle,” said Fadlu. The match’s main focus will likely be on former Simba players Clatous Chama and Jean Baleke, who will be expected to play against their former employer.
They join other new signings for the Jangwani Street giants, including Shadrack Boka, Duke Abuya, Aziz Andambwile, Prince Dube, and goalkeeper Abubakar Khomeiny.
Simba have also strengthened their squad by having new faces such as Joshua Mutale, Jean Charles Ahoua, Débora Fernandes Mavambo and Awesu Awesu.
Also, on the list are Steven Mukwala, Valentino Mashaka, Abdulrazack Hamza, Valentin Nouma, Chamou Karaboue, Augustine Okejepha, Omary Omary, Yusuf Kagoma, and Jean Ahoua.
