Yanga, Simba shift focus to domestic competitions

Dar es Salaam. Football giants in the country Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba have now turned focus to the Azam Federation Cup after tough assignments in the African continental club championships.

Yanga are the defending champions of the competition after winning on penalties over Coastal Union in the final encounter of last edition at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha. This is after the two teams managed to qualify for the knockout stage of the continental club championship.

This season Yanga have qualified for the quarterfinal stage of the CAF Confederation Cup while Simba have entered the quarterfinal stage of the CAF Champions League.

According to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF)’s fixture, Simba will be in action tomorrow from 4pm hosting Ihefu FC at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam while Yanga will on Saturday from 7pm be hosting Geita Gold FC at the same venue.

The matches are very crucial for all the four teams in order to qualify for the semifinal stage. Already Singida Big Stars and Azam FC have qualified for the semifinals.

Singida Big Stars won 4-1 over Mbeya City while Azam FC recorded a 2-0 victory over Mtibwa Sugar. Singida Big Stars now wait the winners between Yanga and Geita Gold FC while Azam FC will play against the winners between Simba and Ihefu FC.

However, the fixture shows that the tournament’s semifinal matches will be held in Mtwara at the Nangwanda Sijaona Stadium and at Tanga’s Mkwakwani Stadium.

Simba head coach Robert Oliviera alias Robertihno admitted facing a tough assignment against Ihefu FC due to the fact that his players have to play three matches in eight days.

After Ihefu, Simba will again meet the Mbarali based team in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League before facing Yanga on April 16 in the same league.

“It is going to be a tough match as my players did not get enough time to rest after a tough game in the CAF Champions League,” said Brazilian trainer Robertinho.