Simba, Azam in high-stakes showdown

DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA and Azam will clash today at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in a high-stakes showdown in Dar es Salaam.

As the match draws near, the intensity builds, with both teams’ coaches expressing their readiness for what promises to be a tough battle.

In the end, it will come down to who claims the vital three points. Ahead of the game, Simba head coach Fadlu Davids reassured fans that his squad is in peak condition and fully prepared to face Azam FC.

He stressed their focus is on three key areas: tactical approach, physical fitness and mental strength.

“Our preparations have gone well. We know it’s a big game. In big games, you need a team to step up a level. There are a lot of emotions involved. Besides the tactical approach and physical aspect, the psychological element plays a huge role. We faced Azam in the first round and although we beat them 2-0, it was a very even match—one that could have gone either way,” Davids said.

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Acknowledging Azam’s strength, Davids applauded the team’s organisation and the tactical acumen of their coach, Rachid Taoussi. He noted that Azam is particularly solid in defence and possesses a potent attacking lineup.

“We respect them as a club and respect the coach for the job he’s doing. It’s a very well-coached team, structured in defence with dangerous players in attack. As we finalise our preparations, we will touch up some final details in training. We are ready to give the fans a spectacle while aiming for the three points,” he added.

He also welcomed the decision to play at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, citing the pitch’s superior quality and size as advantages.

“Of course, playing on an artificial pitch versus a natural one makes a huge difference in how the ball moves. Another factor is the pitch size. The game here is quite compact, and if a team wants to sit deep in a defensive block Azam being a very organised team defensively then the smaller pitch makes it more difficult to break them down.

At Benjamin Mkapa, we will have more space to use the width of the field, exploit inside channels, and create opportunities in open spaces,” Davids noted.

Azam head coach Rachid Taoussi acknowledged the challenge of facing Simba and stressed the need for tactical adjustments.

“Preparation must be different when you’re up against a team like Simba. There needs to be a balance between attacking and defending. We lost to them last time, but we performed well and this time we’ll be more cautious. We have already analysed their strengths and weaknesses,” Taoussi said.

He also revealed that Azam would adopt the same tactical approach that earned them a 1-0 victory over Yanga earlier this season.

“We will stick to the strategy that allowed us to beat Yanga because we believe it will help us create enough chances to take revenge against Simba,” he added.

These two teams face off today with a seven-point gap between them. Simba sit second in the league standings with 50 points from 19 matches, while Azam FC occupy third place with 43 points from 20 games.