DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA SC Head Coach Fadlu Davids credits his squad rotation strategy for their dominant 3-0 victory over Coastal Union in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League match on Saturday, a crucial win ahead of the highly anticipated Kariakoo Derby against Yanga.
Davids emphasised the importance of maintaining squad depth, ensuring every player is match-ready for the clash on March 8th at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
“Anyone can start at any time. It wasn’t just Mukwala, we had David Kameta ‘Duchu’ delivering solid performances, Chamou stepping up after Che Malone Fondoh’s injury and Ally Salimu featuring alongside Nouma who played on the left,” Davids explained in a post-match interview on Saturday.
“Fernandes also returned after a long absence. We have a strong squad and the key was ensuring consistent team performance despite the changes,” He added that building trust within the squad is essential as the team approaches the final stretch of the season.
“It was crucial to win this game, especially since we dropped points to them in the first round. Making several changes and still maintaining the same level of performance was key. It shows the depth of our squad and that’s exactly what we need before a big derby,” he said.
The victory saw several key players such as Ally Salimu, David Kameta ‘Duchu’, Valentine Nouma, Karaboue Chamou, Abdulzak Hamza, Yusuph Kagoma, Kibu Denis, Deborah Fernandes, Steven Mukwala, Jean Charles Ahoua and Elie Mpanzu all start the match.
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On the bench, Davids had a wealth of options, including Hussein Abel, Shomari Kapombe, Mohamed Hussein, Fabrice Ngoma, Joshua Mutale, Ladack Chasambi, Awesu Awesu, Lionel Ateba, Valentino Mashaka and Alexander Erasto.
Despite the intense anticipation surrounding the Kariakoo Derby, Davids remains unfazed, stating that preparations will remain consistent as for any other league match.
“We prepare like we would for any other match. We know it’s a big game against a big team and it’s going to be an exciting match. Both teams will be fighting for the three points and I’m sure the fans can expect fireworks,” said Davids.
Reflecting on their previous derby, where Simba suffered a late defeat to Yanga, Davids acknowledged the disappointment but took solace in his team’s overall performance.
“We’ve analysed that match. Conceding from a set piece and an own goal late in the game was disappointing, but overall, we played well. We’re aiming for another strong performance in the upcoming derby,” he said.
With nine matches remaining in the season, Simba’s focus is on securing maximum points. “We’ve got nine games left. That’s a lot of points to fight for and we’ll go for every point,” he stated.
Simba’s victory over Coastal Union pushed their points to 54, four behind Yanga’s 58.
But with a one-game advantage, Simba’s upcoming clash with Yanga in the Kariakoo Derby is crucial for their title hopes.
The Kariakoo Derby on Saturday could be a turning point in the title race.
A win for Simba would reduce the gap to just one point, while a victory for Yanga would extend their lead and give them a more comfortable cushion.
As for Coastal Union, they were left disappointed after the 3-0 defeat at home. The loss leaves them with 24 points from 22 matches, having won five, drawn nine and lost eight.
They are now level on points with KMC Complex but remain under pressure from Mashujaa and Namungo, both sitting on 23 points.
A slip in the coming fixtures could see Coastal Union overtaken by either Mashujaa or Namungo, making their remaining games crucial in their fight to avoid relegation. As the league enters its final stages, the stakes have never been higher.
The battle for the title and the fight for survival promise an electrifying conclusion to the season.
