Africa-Press – Tanzania. HISTORY books are set to be re-written this weekend when giants Simba and Young Africans meet in a Community Shield match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
The game slated to kick off from 5:00 pm will signal the start of the 2021/22 League season, of which 16 teams will battle it up for the prestigious title after a total of 240 matches.
Heading towards the game, Simba’s Acting Information Officer Ezekiel Kamwaga said his team’s preparations are unfolding well, and that morale among the players is high.
“Immediately after our international friendly match with TP Mazembe on Sunday, players were given a two-day break, and they reported in camp yesterday to resume training not only for the Saturday’s match but for the whole season.
“Until now, we do not have injuries in the squad and let me urge Simba fans to buy tickets early and fill the arena in a big number to cheer their team. We have no pressure at all, and I believe we shall win,” he said.
The same was responded by his Yanga counterpart, Hassan Bumbuli, who also said their team’s for the derby are on a gas pedal such that they are just waiting for the day to arrive.
“This will be the start of our team to win all titles of the coming season, and that will be opened by clinching the Community Shield. To us, a derby is just a normal game like other encounters.
“The good thing is that all players who missed the CAF Champions League games, Djuma Shabani, Fiston Mayele and Khalid Aucho will be present and ready to play on the day as such; our squad has been boosted,” Bumbuli said.
Moreover, he disclosed that other players who were on the injury list had been permitted to start normal training programs with their teammates, which he described as an advantage to them to do well on the day.
On his part, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Media and Communication Officer Clifford Ndimbo said tickets for VVIP and VIP A will not be available as the two places have been reserved for invited people.
He, however, named entry charges for VIP B as 30,000/-, VIP C and Orange seats will go for 20,000/- while Blue and Green seats will be accommodated for 10,000/- respectively.
“For our side, we are also progressing well with preparations for the big match to make sure that everything goes as planned,” he said.
Both sides face each other after losing their immediate past matches by a margin of 1-0; hence, the scale is balanced until this juncture.
Simba lost 1-0 to TP Mazembe at the same venue on the climax of their annual Simba Day, while Yanga went down by the same score when they lost to Rivers United in Nigeria in the second match of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
Season opener’s fever mounts
By BENJAMIN BEN
HISTORY books are set to be re-written this weekend when giants Simba and Young Africans meet in a Community Shield match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
The game slated to kick off from 5:00 pm will signal the start of the 2021/22 League season, of which 16 teams will battle it up for the prestigious title after a total of 240 matches.
Heading towards the game, Simba’s Acting Information Officer Ezekiel Kamwaga said his team’s preparations are unfolding well, and that morale among the players is high.
“Immediately after our international friendly match with TP Mazembe on Sunday, players were given a two-day break, and they reported in camp yesterday to resume training not only for the Saturday’s match but for the whole season.
“Until now, we do not have injuries in the squad and let me urge Simba fans to buy tickets early and fill the arena in a big number to cheer their team. We have no pressure at all, and I believe we shall win,” he said.
The same was responded by his Yanga counterpart, Hassan Bumbuli, who also said their team’s for the derby are on a gas pedal such that they are just waiting for the day to arrive.
“This will be the start of our team to win all titles of the coming season, and that will be opened by clinching the Community Shield. To us, a derby is just a normal game like other encounters.
“The good thing is that all players who missed the CAF Champions League games, Djuma Shabani, Fiston Mayele and Khalid Aucho will be present and ready to play on the day as such; our squad has been boosted,” Bumbuli said.
Moreover, he disclosed that other players who were on the injury list had been permitted to start normal training programs with their teammates, which he described as an advantage to them to do well on the day.
On his part, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Media and Communication Officer Clifford Ndimbo said tickets for VVIP and VIP A will not be available as the two places have been reserved for invited people.
He, however, named entry charges for VIP B as 30,000/-, VIP C and Orange seats will go for 20,000/- while Blue and Green seats will be accommodated for 10,000/- respectively.
“For our side, we are also progressing well with preparations for the big match to make sure that everything goes as planned,” he said.
Both sides face each other after losing their immediate past matches by a margin of 1-0; hence, the scale is balanced until this juncture.
Simba lost 1-0 to TP Mazembe at the same venue on the climax of their annual Simba Day, while Yanga went down by the same score when they lost to Rivers United in Nigeria in the second match of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
