Yanga beat Simba to secure spot in Community Shield final against Azam FC
What you need to know:
- The match's only goal came in the 44th minute, courtesy of Maxi Nzengeli.
- Nzengeli capitalized on a well-executed combination with Pacome Zouzoua and Prince Dube, driving the ball past Simba's goalkeeper and into the net.
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) have once again asserted their dominance over their arch-rivals, Simba SC, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory on August 8, 2024, in the Community Shield clash at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
The win adds to Yanga’s growing legacy, marking their second triumph over Simba this year and the third since 2023.
The match's only goal came in the 44th minute, courtesy of Maxi Nzengeli.
Nzengeli capitalized on a well-executed combination with Pacome Zouzoua and Prince Dube, driving the ball past Simba's goalkeeper and into the net.
This crucial goal not only secured the win for Yanga but also continued their streak of victories against Simba, following a 2-1 win on April 20, 2024, and a commanding 5-1 victory on November 5, 2023, both at the same venue during the Mainland Tanzania Premier League.
This latest win holds historical significance as it marks Yanga’s 41st victory over Simba since 1965, in the 112 matches they have contested. In comparison, Simba have managed 32 wins, with 40 matches ending in draws.
Yanga have outscored Simba with 121 goals to Simba's 105 in these head-to-head encounters, further emphasizing their dominance in this fierce rivalry.
Simba, however, showed signs of improvement in this match. They started strongly, creating an early chance in the first 15 minutes, but Steven Mukwala missed a clear opportunity after receiving a good pass from Shomari Kapombe.
Throughout the match, Joshua Mutale, Simba's attacking midfielder, was a constant threat to Yanga's defenders, but his final touch failed to produce the desired result. Despite their early pressure, Simba couldn’t break through Yanga’s defense, which, although shaky at times, managed to hold firm.
As the match progressed, Yanga began to assert control, with Dube, Nzengeli, and Stephane Aziz Ki leading the charge against Simba's defense. Their relentless pressing eventually paid off with Nzengeli’s goal just before halftime.
Yanga’s head coach, Miguel Gamondi, praised his players for their determined performance. "We played with determination as we all wanted to win and qualify for the final.
It is a very sweet victory as we managed to avenge last year's loss on penalties in the final in Tanga. All my players deserve compliments," said Gamondi.
On the other hand, Simba’s coach, Fadlu Davids, acknowledged their mistakes and vowed to make necessary corrections before the start of the league. "We are going to the drawing board and rectify all mistakes," he stated.
With this victory, Yanga now looks ahead to the final match against Azam FC on August 11, 2024, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
