Africa-Press – Tanzania. AHEAD of the Dar es Salaam Derby, Young Africans supporters have been urged to fill the arena as they will enjoy an epic derby in the 90-minute showpiece.
Young Africans are facing their traditional rivals Simba in the second round match of the Premier League at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday, August 8 this year.
Yanga who are second with 57 points are keen to win the game and bridge gap with their rivals who are commanding the race with 61 points they reaped after playing 25 games. Second-placed Yanga have played 27 matches, two games more than their rivals. The team’s publicity official, Antonio Nugaz urged the supporters and fans to come at Benjamin Mkapa in numbers to cheer the team.
“90 minutes will decide who deserves to write a new chapter in Tanzanian football and Africa,” he said.
Top of the derby talks are Simba’s goalie Aishi Manula, Berlin Wall defender Joash Onyango and crafty midfielder Clatous Chama, due to their outstanding performance for their club in both home and international assignments. As well, slippery winger Luis Miquissone is creating shiver to Yanga fans, due to his quality skills.
For Yanga, their dynamo is Saido Ntibazonkiza, in the middle of terrain while Lamine Moro has been the core of Yanga defence. Also Mukoko Tonombe, Zawadi Mauya and Kibwana Shomari are likely to be the chief players for Yanga in the Saturday derby.
Simba are facing their traditional rivals after good drill during the CAF Champions League’s group stage. Simba who boast a formidable squad at the moment compared to their traditional rivals seem to be very sure of gunning down their opponents this time around. The two Tanzanian giants are chasing the league title in the ongoing campaign and clash in the league this weekend.
Ahead of the derby, Tanzania Football Federation(TFF) has unveiled the names of the officials who will be in-charge of the clash. Emmanuel Mwandembwa has been named the central referee and will be assisted by Frank Komba and Hamdan Said while the fourth official is Ramadhan Kayoko.
When the teams met in the first round they drew 1-1 in a match staged at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. However the Saturday derby will be different from the first round derby which was officiated by six referees, but this time around they have reduced the number due to CAF directives.
Simba captain John Bocco remains confident his team will get maximum points when they host rivals Yanga in a Mainland League match this weekend. Still, despite their terrifying squad Simba have not won any of their last three Derbies in the league. They have lost once and drawn twice, and with the two teams fighting to win the league this season, it is expected to be a close contest.
With that in mind, Bocco expects a difficult match but they have a good team capable of claiming three points.
“The derby will be tough, but we will organise ourselves for better chances of winning the game,” Bocco told Goal.
“Our team is good with quality and experienced players and I am confident we will fight to ensure we get a positive outcome in that game. “We respect Yanga, they are a good team who started the season well, and even the way they are playing you can tell they are a quality side.
