Simba Queens, Yanga Princess clash in semi-final

DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA Queens and Yanga Princess will face each other today in the Women’s Community Shield semi-final at KMC Stadium.

The Dar giants headline a four-team tournament that also features JKT Queens and Mashujaa Queens, who will face each other in the opening semi-final.

The two winners will meet in the final. Simba coach Mussa Hassan is demanding a strong response from his players after their disappointing CECAFA campaign, with the Community Shield offering an early chance to restore confidence.

“We need the Community Shield and a positive result against our rivals, who are also in good shape and want the same thing,” Hassan said.

He believes his players have learnt from their CECAFA experience and are ready to turn the page.

“We did not perform as expected in CECAFA, but football is a game in which mistakes happen. We have learnt from that experience and now we are starting again, looking to restore our strength,” he said.

Hassan expects a tight contest, with both sides familiar with many of the players on the opposing team.

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“Yanga are preparing for what they need and we are preparing for what we need. The players are not strangers to us because we have met many of them in different teams. But tomorrow it is about competition; they are Yanga and we are Simba,” he said.

Yanga coach Edna Lema, however, believes her side can spring a surprise with a squad that includes several new faces. Lema also confirmed that Yanga Princess has no injury concerns ahead of the derby, with her squad and technical bench ready for the clash.

Lema admitted Yanga have struggled for results against Simba in recent meetings but said the Community Shield presents a fresh opportunity.

“We respect Simba; they are a good team, but tomorrow will be a different match and we have to work hard to get the result we want,” she said.

The Yanga coach sees their new-look squad as a potential advantage, arguing that Simba have less information about her players.

“We know Simba, how they play and their players, but they have not seen our team in the same way,” Lema said.

“We have many new players, and that can make it difficult for an opponent to prepare for us. We believe in the team we have this season.”