All Eyes on Kariakoo Derby: Will Yanga extend their lead or will Simba strike back?

Dar es Salaam. Football fans and stakeholders in Tanzania and across East Africa are asking the question, “Who will win the derby today, March 8, 2025, between traditional rivals Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba at the 60,000-seater Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam?”

The answer to the question will be known after the 90 minutes of the game, which kicks off at 7.15pm.
Predicting the outcome is challenging for various reasons, primarily due to the current status of the two teams in the ongoing Mainland Premier League.

Despite the fact that there are three possible results—win, lose, or draw—football fans will also get a clearer picture of which team is in a better position to win this season's title based on the current league standings.

Heading into this thrilling encounter, Yanga sit atop the table with 58 points from 22 matches, while Simba are hot on their heels with 54 points but with a game in hand. A Yanga victory would stretch their lead to 61 points, creating a significant seven-point cushion over Simba.

However, if Simba secure all three points, they will cut the gap to a single point, intensifying the title race. A draw would see Yanga maintain a four-point lead at 59 points, while Simba would inch up to 55 points, keeping their title hopes alive.

Another factor that makes the match difficult to predict is the recent records of the two teams in their past five encounters. Yanga have won four consecutive matches, setting a new record in their head-to-head meetings. The last time Simba defeated Yanga was on August 13, 2023, with a 1-0 scoreline.

Since then, Yanga have dominated the rivalry, securing a 5-1 victory on November 5, 2023, followed by a 2-1 win on April 20, 2024, and back-to-back 1-0 wins on August 8, 2024, and October 19, 2024.

This makes today’s match a chance for revenge for Simba, who are determined to end their losing streak against their bitter rivals. The match will be their 114th league meeting since 1965. In their previous 111 encounters, Yanga registered 41 wins compared to Simba’s 32, with 40 matches ending in draws.

Yanga have also scored 121 goals against Simba’s 105 in their head-to-head record. The Jangwani Street side have accumulated 163 points in these encounters, while Simba have 136. So far, much has been said about the game, with fans of both teams boasting about their squads’ strengths.

Yanga fans take pride in their recent dominance over Simba, who were also recently eliminated from the CRDB Federation Cup, a tournament that determines which team represents the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Comments from coaches
Yanga head coach Miloud Hamdi said this is his first Kariakoo Derby since arriving in Tanzania. However, he is no stranger to such high-stakes matches, having coached in similar derbies before. He acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in his team.

"All players are fit and ready for the match. The only player I have concerns about is Aziz Ki, who has been struggling with a back problem. I can't say for sure whether he will be available or not—it’s still 50/50. I think by tomorrow (today) I will have a definitive answer.

This is not my first Derby. I have coached in a derby with around 120,000 fans in attendance. I won’t feel any pressure. However, I respect my opponents. I am just looking forward to a great and exciting match. Fans should come to enjoy the game and not feel pressured,” said Hamdi.

On the other hand, Simba head coach Fadlu Davids acknowledged the difficulty of the match, given the strength of their opponents. However, he emphasized Simba’s goal of securing a positive result after losing the last two derbies this season.

"The preparations throughout the week have gone well, and every player is eager to play with high morale, wanting to showcase their abilities to help the team achieve a good result," said Fadlu, who will be facing Yanga for the second time.