Tanzania's football giants Yanga and Simba to face off on April 20
Yanga's attacking midfielder Pacome Zouzoua (left) vies for the ball with Simba's attacking midfielder Clatous Chama during their past match at the Benjamin Mkapa. Yanga won 5-1. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Yanga, who are the defending champions, will likely be targeting to maintain their supremacy over Simba who, on their part, will aim to revenge against Yanga.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania arch-rivals, Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba Sports Club, will now meet in the Mainland Premier League match on April 20, 2024 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
In the return leg to kick off at 5pm East African time, Simba will be seeking to take revenge on Yanga, who won 5-1 on November 5, 2023 at the same venue in the league first leg.
Earlier, the match was scheduled to take place on April 13, 2024, but was postponed due to the tight fixture for both teams that were competing in the CAF) Champions League.
The two teams have been edged out of the CAF Champions League quarterfinals and hence Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) have announced the new date.
Earlier, the fixture showed that Yanga, before playing against Simba on April 14, 2024, would meet Singida Fountain Gate FC at Mwanza’s CCM Kirumba Stadium while Simba would take on Ihefu FC at the Liti Stadium in Singida on April 13, 2024.
TPLB Information officer Karim Boimanda said they have informed both teams about the new date. Yanga are currently at the top of the league standings with 52 points from 20 matches while Simba are third after collecting 45 points from 19 matches. Azam FC are second with 47 points from 21 matches.
“The preparations of the encounter have already started and the body will continue to give its updates as the day draws near,” said Boimanda.
It will be their 112th meeting in the league since 1965. Of 112 matches played, Yanga registered 39 wins against Simba’s 32 and 40 draws. Yanga also scored 118 goals against Simba’s 104 in their head-to-head. The Jangwani Street lads recorded 157 points against Simba’s 136.
Yanga, who are the defending champions, will likely be targeting to maintain their supremacy over Simba who, on their part, will aim to revenge against Yanga.
The match will also be a litmus test for Simba’s new head coach, Abdelhak Benchikha, who will be guiding his team for the first time against Yanga in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League.
It will also be the third time for Benchikha to be in technical bench as head coach against Yanga.
His first time was on May 29, 2023 in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final when he was with USM Alger and won 2-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
His second time was on June 3, 2023 with USM Alger in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup and Yanga won 1-0 in Algiers.
Yanga head coach Miguel Gamondi will be leading his team for the third time against Simba. His first time was in the Community Shield encounter held at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga and Simba won 3-1 on penalties on August 13, 2023.
The matches between Yanga and Simba are usually a battle of wits. Their games sometimes make some of their fans cry on their way back home while others celebrate the whole evening.
