It’s Simba-Yanga grand finale

DAR ES SALAAM derby was confirmed in Tanga late on Thursday after Simba eliminated Singida Fountain Gate to date Young Africans in the Community Shield final at Mkwakwani Stadium this  weekend.

It was not easy run to the final for Simba as they had to rely on spotkicks  to secure a 4-2 penalty win after a barren draw at the end of tense 90 minutes.

It was not a normal football game and Mkwakwani Stadium turned a battle field.

Singida Fountain Gate fought bravery just after a start creating several raids at Simba goal, but none of their attempts paid off until the end of the first half.

At the restart, Simba introduced the newly- signed midfielder Fabrice Ngoma who replaced Sadio Kanoute and skipper John Bocco for Jean Baleke in a bid to reinforce attacking options.

The first half saw both teams playing competitive football not giving each other breathing space with much action experienced at the midfield section.

Simba recorded two shots on target in the opening 45 minutes of the entertaining encounter while Singida Fountain Gate produced none on the goal.

Simba goalie Ali Salim, was the match hero after brilliantly saving the first spotkick.

Singida Fountain  Gate missed two spotkicks while Simba brilliantly converted all four  netted by Luis Miquisson, Saido Ntibazonkiza, Mzamiru Yassin  and Moses Phiri.

However, both sides have been privileged to represent the country in the upcoming CAF Interclub Games of which they have already pledged to do well.

For Simba, they will launch their campaign in the second preliminary round of the Champions League and will play either Power Dynamos or AF Stars of Namibia.

This means the Msimbazi Street Reds will only play one two-legged match and if they succeed, they will march into the group stage of the biggest club competition on the continent.

Already, Simba have declared that their top priority is to make it to the semifinals, a feat they have never reached before as such, people are eager to see how far they will go.

On the other hand, Singida Fountain Gate make their maiden appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup with a double header clash versus JKU of Zanzibar in the first preliminary round.

The winner will engage Future FC of Egypt before progressing to the last 16 of the contest hence the two Tanzania envoys have to tighten up their boots to make it happen.

Other country’s envoys are Young Africans and Azam with the former parading in the Champions League while the latter compete in the Confederation Cup.