Young Africans meet with Simba in the battle of the two biggest clubs in the Sub-Saharan region. Both teams are chasing the title and they don’t have any margin for error. It's time for the Kariakoo Derby.
Once again, we are on the precipice of the Kariakoo Derby and the fans should thank the heavens that Yanga have found their form and identity back. While they’re still yet to claim any trophies this season, they are certainly on the right track.
It’s no secret that Simba have focused more on continental success this season where they were very much competitive, so, it would be unwise to take them lightly based on the points difference.
Young Africans meet with Simba in the battle of the two biggest clubs in the Sub-Saharan region. Both teams are chasing the title and they don’t have any margin for error.
YANGA vs SIMBA: Sare ni nne pekee na aliyeshinda hajawahi kushinda zaidi ya goli moja katika mechi tisa walizokutana kwenye ligi tangu msimu wa 2017/18.
— Azam TV (@azamtvtz) April 25, 2022
Tukutane tarehe Aprili 30, 2022 #LigiKuuYaNBC #NBCPL #KariakooDerby #YangaSimba #YangaSC #SimbaSC #WataniWaJadi #Derby pic.twitter.com/CaJ5AE083J
Yanga
Yanga are having the time of their lives in the NBC Premier League. They are top of the table with just ten games left to play. The Young Africans are not only chasing their first league title since 2017, but they are looking to remain invincible – going the entire league campaign with losing.
In April 2021, Yanga announced the appointment of Nasreddine Nabi. Since taking over, the Tunisian tactician has won the Community Shield, three Coach of the Month awards and is on course to winning his first major trophy in Tanzania. His side are in the semi-finals of the Azam Sports Federation Cup and are 13 points clear at the top.
The log leaders have scored the most goals (35) in the league. A lot of that is down to the combination of Fiston Mayele and Djuma Shaban. These two have been formidable for the Young Africans this season and are arguably amongst the top attacking combinations in Africa.
A Shaban assist and Mayele finish has been a familiar sight throughout the season. Another player who was given a chance and grabbed it with both hands is Saido Ntibazonkiza. The Burundian international has been deadly in front of goal and is the club’s second-leading scorer behind Mayele.
Feisal Salum has been struggling with a muscle injury in the second period of the league. The young midfielder returned to the starting line-up against Namungo last weekend and proved that he’s still a classy player, scoring the winning goal to ensure a 2-1 victory.
Yanga have won six matches on the bounce and a win here will almost confirm the league title.
🔝🔥 The Francophone trio of Mayele, Saido and Djuma have been directly involved in 23 of Yanga's 33 which is the equivalent of 70% of Yanga's League goals so far. pic.twitter.com/ld0t92uq9g
— MichaelMwebe (@MichaelMwebe) April 8, 2022
Simba
Simba represented Tanzania with pride in this season’s CAF Confederations Cup. In the group stages, the Lions were tied on 10 points with Moroccan side RS Berkane. The two progressed at the expense of 1998 CAF Champions League champions ASEC Mimosas and Niger’s Union Sportive Gendarmerie Nationale.
Just like last season, Simba were drawn with a South African side in the quarter-finals. They were beaten 4-3 on aggregate by Kaizer Chiefs in the CAF Champions League and lost on 4-3 on penalties against Orlando Pirates in a tie that ended 1-1 on aggregate.
Simba were unlucky in the second leg and will feel hard done by VAR after Pirates’ Kwame Peprah scored a controversial header that looked offside. Simba are undoubtedly one of the most improved teams on the continent.
What makes the Lions strong is the use of home ground advantage. At home, Simba has beaten everyone who has visited Dar es Salaam. However, on the league table, Pablo Martin’s men might settle for second best. They are 13 points behind their opponents with one game in hand. A win in this weekend’s derby and the game in hand will put pressure on Yanga going into the final matches.
What matters most to Pablo Matin’s men is ending Yanga’s unbeaten run and avenging their 1-0 loss to their rivals in the Community Shield at the start of the season.
In December, Simba were able to deal with Yanga’s dangerous attack and managed to keep Mayele quiet. The Lions have one of the best defences in the league, starting with goalkeeper Aishi Manula, captain Mohamed Hussein – both are Tanzanian internationals – Joash Onyango, a Kenyan international, and top defenders like Henock Inonga who is a DRC international.
We are in for an interesting battle, the Lions come into this game with good form and confidence. Simba are unbeaten in their last five league matches, drawing one and winning four.
Who will claim the bragging rights?
Hard luck Simba. You can go out with your heads held high, especially as the only East African team to make it to the KO stages of CAF competitions this season.
— Salim Masoud Said (@salimosaid) April 24, 2022
You made what seemed impossible nearly possible & no one can doubt your effort, spirit & sweat. Thank you! ✊🏿🦁🇹🇿 pic.twitter.com/vcJHEZwNws
Prediction: Draw and Both Teams to Score
This is a cagey affair between two very good teams at the moment. Tipping a draw might seem like I’m sitting on the fence but I really can’t separate the two sides coming into this match. However, If I was forced to pick a winner, I’d opt for Yanga because Simba travelled to South Africa last weekend.
