Tanzania derby: How Simba's mistakes eased Yanga's path to victory

By Charles AbelDar es Salaam. The 2-1 victory that Yanga secured against Simba in the Kariakoo derby last Saturday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium may have been significantly facilitated by the team that lost the match.

Yanga found clinching the win in that game surprisingly easy, contrary to the usual expectation of teams having to work hard to secure victory in such derbies, as witnessed in past years between these teams.

The repetition of mistakes, both in Simba's defensive line and in their offensive play, made the task easier for Yanga's coaching staff in preparing for the match. It would have been challenging for their opponents to swiftly change tactics and devise something different on Saturday.

Attacking errors

It's a match that Simba should blame themselves for due to the clear goal-scoring opportunities they had in the game, especially in the first half.

Simba failed to capitalize on the chances unlike their opponents, who had fewer chances but made the most of themIn the opening 10 minutes, Clatous Chama unleashed a powerful shot, which was saved by goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, but unfortunately, there was no one there to finish it.

Later, Kibu Denis had a good chance to score, but his shot went wide. Additionally, Sadio Kanoute had a header that went straight into the hands of the Yanga goalkeeper.

Even in the second half, there were opportunities that could have favored Simba, but their persisting issue in finishing remained evident until Freddy Koublan scored their lone goal in the match. The inability to capitalize on these chances wasn't merely attributed to bad luck; rather, it has been a recurring problem throughout this season, spanning both domestic and international competitions.

Prior to the match against Yanga, Simba had only managed to score two goals in their last four consecutive matches, averaging a mere 0.5 goals per game – a concerning statistic for a team of Simba's caliber. Compounding the issue, in this season's CAF Champions League, up until Simba's elimination in the quarter-finals, they ranked fourth in the list of teams with the most missed opportunities, having squandered 11 chances.

Defensive errors

Goalkeeping in football is a blend of artistry and ingrained habits, making quick changes a challenging endeavor. This reality became evident for Simba in their recent match against Yanga. Prior to facing Yanga, Simba exhibited a poor defensive record, characterized by frequent mistakes that undermined their defensive solidity and a continuation of individual errors that often proved costly for the team.

Simba's persistent mistakes were mainly attributed to delayed positioning and a failure to execute fundamental defensive responsibilities when the opponents had possession. These shortcomings played into Yanga's hands, allowing them to capitalize on both goals scored by Stephane Aziz Ki and Joseph Guede in the first half.

Yanga's first goal, a penalty, stemmed from Hussein Kazi's personal error when he lost possession to Aziz Ki, failing to clear the ball or tactically foul outside the penalty area to prevent conceding. Despite his fellow defender, Che Fondoh Malone, being in a position to offer support and delay Aziz Ki's decision-making, Kazi committed a foul inside the penalty area.

In addition to Kazi's mistakes, several Simba players, particularly in the defensive line, failed to swiftly close down spaces after losing possession. When Aziz Ki initiated the attack leading to the penalty, he had the option to pass to Joseph Guede and Clement Mzize, who were making quick runs into Simba's penalty area after Yanga gained possession from Kazi.

Yanga's second goal, scored by Joseph Guede, resulted from Simba's left-back, Mohammed Hussein 'Tshabalala', forgetting to maintain the offside trap set up by his fellow defenders during Yanga's attack. In executing an offside trap, all defenders should align with the central defender, a detail overlooked by Tshabalala, consequently leading to Simba conceding the second goal.

Such mistakes were not unfamiliar to Simba, recurring throughout the season and posing a potential threat in the match against Yanga. Prior to facing Yanga, Simba had conceded goals in each of their previous four matches across various competitions, totaling five goals.

Kudos to referees

Central referee Ahmed Arajiga and his assistants Mohammed Mkono and Kassim Mpanga showcased commendable standards in the recent derby match, facilitating a smooth conclusion without any grievances from either side. They maintained presence in crucial areas at appropriate moments and swiftly and accurately interpreted various incidents in accordance with the 17 laws of football.

Joseph Guede's goal exemplifies the effective execution of their duties. Assistant referee Mohammed Mkono's astute positioning and vigilant monitoring of the attack leading to the goal prevented a potential offside call against Guede. Despite the rapid pace of the incident, Mkono promptly discerned that the striker was not in an offside position.

Furthermore, referee Arajiga fostered a cordial atmosphere with the players on the field, contributing to a match devoid of excessive emotion and violence.

Same old story of foreign players

Players from 11 different nations featured in the starting line-ups of both teams in the recent match, with six Tanzanian stars among them. The remaining 16 players represented 10 different countries. However, once again, it was the foreign players who left a significant imprint on the match, echoing the first-round fixture, as they were instrumental in all three goals scored.

Yanga's two goals were netted by foreign players, and the assist for one goal was provided by Khalid Aucho, a foreign midfielder. Simba's sole goal was scored by a foreign player, with Clatous Chama from Zambia delivering the final pass.

Numbers don't lie

Stephane Aziz Ki's goal not only elevated his tally to 15 goals, maintaining his status as the league's top scorer this season, but also positioned him as the player involved in the highest number of goals, reaching a total of 22.

Recent derbies in the Premier League have continued to trouble goalkeepers, with nets consistently bulging. In four consecutive matches, every team has conceded a goal, leaving goalkeepers unable to secure a clean sheet.

In contrast to the first-round fixture, where midfielders showcased their prowess by scoring four out of six goals, the recent match saw strikers taking center stage, netting two out of three goals.

Midfielder Jonas Mkude has maintained an undefeated streak in six consecutive Kariakoo derby matches in the Premier League, featuring in four for Simba and two for Yanga.

For the first time, Ivorian players left their mark on the Kariakoo Derby with goals, courtesy of Joseph Guede and Freddy Michael, both hailing from Ivory Coast.