Pacome uncertain to face Simba in Premiership derby
Young Africans (Yanga) attacking midfielder Pacome Zouzoua. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The Ivorian was a key player in the first leg against Simba in which Yanga won 5-1 on November 5, 2023 at the same venue.
Dar es Salaam. Young African (Yanga)'s prolific attacking midfielder Pacome Zouzoua is facing uncertainty to feature in the upcoming match against their bitter rivals, Simba SC.
Yanga will host Simba this Saturday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League match, which is to kick off at 5pm.
Pacome, who picked up injuries on March 17, 2024 in the league encounter against Azam FC, is yet to recover fully, according to reports received by The Citizen from the club’s impeccable source.
So far the player has missed four matches, including two against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAf Champions League, one against Dodoma Jiji FC in the CRDB Federation Cup and another against Singida Fountain Gate FC in the Mainland Tanzania League.
The Ivorian was a key player in the first leg against Simba in which Yanga won 5-1 on November 5, 2023 at the same venue.
In the match, Pacome scored a penalty to seal the historic win for the Jangwani Street side.
“He is yet to recover fully despite having started partial training. We are not sure if he will fit enough to feature in the match,” said the source, who added that other players are fit for the tie as fans’ fever mounts. “Yanga have many key players who can fit in Pacome’s position. So that is not a blow as we are expecting to record another victory over our bitter rivals,” he said.
The match will decide which of the two teams will be the major contender for the mainland title.
Yanga are currently at the top with 55 points from 21 matches, while Simba are third with 46 points from 20 games.
Azam FC are second with 50 points from 22 matches.
Should Yanga win the tie, they will be 85 percent sure of retaining the title for the third time in a row.
Simba, who are nine points behind Yanga, will need victory to close the point gap and revive their hopes of clinching the title this season.
If the Msimbazi Street giants lose the encounter, they will be uncertain about winning the title or finishing in the second position this season.
