Titanic top of table derby clash

Paradise blog:

It is a crucial encounter because its outcome is expected to decide the fate of the Mainland Premier League title race. Top-of-the-table meetings between Simba and Yanga are always lively and

fans should expect a live wire performance from both sides.

As usual, it will be unpredictable and nail biting game as both teams are craving for maximum points so as to steal a march in the title race as well as secure the bragging rights.

Simba are currently sitting atop with 45 points after playing 19 games, but Yanga are breathing down their neck with 43 points from 18 outings.

The Msimbazi Reds, who have shown great improvement since the arrival of Ugandan tactician, Jackson Mayanja, will be targeting for revenge against their arch-rivals, who beat them 2-0 in the previous match held last September and Yanga will be eager to prove that they deserved to win.

Both clubs have a lot to prove to their respective fans today. For Simba, they would be all out to prove that their past defeat at the hands of their archrivals was nothing more than a fluke.

As for Yanga who had lost to Simba for more than three years in succession, today’s derby provide yet another occasion to prove to their fans and opponents that it would take Simba a lot of efforts to defeat them.

Hans Van der Pluijm’s reigning champions Yanga have also another thing that is likely to be going on in the mind of their players, namely, the dire need to strengthen their players’ nerve, in preparation for battles that lie ahead. For instance, winning against Simba today would be a psychological boost in their preparation against their Mauritian counterparts, Circle de Joakim, in their return leg match next weekend.

After edging out their hosts in Port Louis last weekend, Yanga need to win convincingly against their counterparts at home in Dar es Salaam next weekend.

To ensure that they get good results today, both teams opted for more conducive environments to plot the epic battle. Simba set up their camp at the modern Baptist Mission’s Highlands centre, located at the foot of Uluguru Mountains at Kigurunyembe area to help the players get better prepared for the game.

The team returned in Dar es Salaam on Thursday night ready for the battle. Simba had initially planned to camp in Zanzibar but changed their mind, opting for Morogoro instead.

Yanga, on the other hand, were plotting their war in the spicy island of Pemba as they seek to maneuver their back to the top of the league table at the expense of their old foes. The Jangwani Street lads were expected to get back in Dar es Salaam yesterday afternoon.

A thrilling battle is expected to be in the midfield where the likes of Simba’s, Jonas Mkude, Justice Majabvi, Mwinyi Kazimoto and Said Ndemla and Yanga’s Haruna Niyonzima, Thabani Kamusoko and Salum Telela will be neck on neck to determine who is best between them.

Yanga who boost of deadly striking force made up of Amis Tambwe, Donald Ngoma, Simon Msuva and Malimi Busungu will be aiming at the second derby victory of this season.

However, they will have to do a donkey work to overcome their opponents’ defence which has currently proved to be hard to penetrate.

On the other side, Yanga defence which will miss the service of dependable central defender Kelvin Yondani, who is serving three-match ban after been shown a straight red card is also going to have difficult task to contain pressure from Simba’s lethal strikers-- Hamis Kiiza, Ibrahim Ajib and Danny Lyanga.

There will also be another battle between Kiiza and Tambwe in the golden boot race as the former is in the lead after netting 16 goals two ahead of his closer competitor Tambwe, who will fight to retain his lead by ensuring he scores once again, against his former side. FIFA referee, Jonesia Rukyaa will take charge the match for the second time.

The Kagera whistler was also in the middle when the sides met at same venue in the ‘Nani Mtani Jembe’ in 2014 which Simba won 2-0.

Going into the match today, Police in Dar es Salaam have ensured to strengthen security at various areas in the city especially at the National Stadium before, during and after the match.

Neither Simba nor Yanga will be keen to drop points at this stage of the season, especially with Azam boasting two games in hand, hot on their heels as they sit only three points adrift of the league leaders.

Azam FC travel to Mbeya to face Mbeya City at the Sokoine Memorial Stadium this evening in search of the vital three point, which they need most as to step up the title race.

Other matches to be staged today are Stand United against JKT Ruvu at the Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga, while Toto Africans welcomes Kagera Sugar at the CCM Kirumba in Mwanza. Mgambo Shooting host Tanzania Prisons at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga, while Majimaji FC will be at Majimaji Stadium to play against Mtibwa Sugar.