Yanga Princess, Simba Queens clash in TWPL today
Yanga Princes and Simba Queens players vie for the ball during a previous match. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The match promises to be thrilling and is expected to be the toughest encounter, given the current standings of the two teams in the league.
Dar es Salaam. All roads will be heading to the KMC Complex today, where traditional rivals in the Tanzania Women's Premier League, Yanga Princess and Simba Queens, will clash at 4pm.
The match promises to be thrilling and is expected to be the toughest encounter, given the current standings of the two teams in the league.
Simba Queens currently sit atop the league table with an impressive 34 points from 12 matches while Yanga Princes are third with 27 points from 12 matches.
Records show that the match will be the 12th meeting between the two teams since 2019. Simba Queens have won nine times, Yanga Princess once, with two draws.
Yanga Princess will be seeking revenge for their first-round defeat at the same venue. On November 24 last year, Yanga Princess’ Zimbabwean midfielder Danai Bhobho scored an own goal at the same venue.
However, recently, the tide seems to have shifted, as Yanga have shown improved results, making this match more unpredictable than expected.
Yanga Princess appear to have been rejuvenated with top form and recently won the Samia Super Cup in Arusha after defeating JKT Queens.
The team’s head coach, Edna “Mourinho” Lema, said they have prepared well for the match and their main target is to win. “We have prepared well, and my players are in top form ahead of the match. It will be a tough match, but we have every reason to win and improve our chances in the league standings,” said Lema. Lema also stated that there have been improvements in the squad and predicted that it would be the best derby.
“It is the best gauge for our side, as we are facing the leading team, and we can feel the excitement from many football fans across the country,” she said.
Simba Queens’ head coach, Yussif Basigi, said all players are in top form and need to win the match in order to increase the points gap with second-placed JKT Queens, who have 32 points from 12 matches.
“It is a very important match, as we are leading the standings by only two points. We need to make every effort, despite the fact that we are facing a tough assignment,” said Basigi.
