Simba plot Yanga downfall, seek the season’s flying start

ZANZIBAR: SIMBA Head Coach, Steve Barker says his team is well prepared for the Community Shield clash against their traditional rivals, Young Africans, insisting that their objective is to start the 2026/27 season by lifting the trophy.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, Barker said they are fully aware of Yanga’s quality and have focused on technical, physical and psychological preparations to ensure the squad is ready for the challenge.

Barker said Simba are a club with a strong tradition of winning trophies and have prepared themselves to secure the Community Shield in the highly anticipated fixture.

“Simba are a team of champions, so we have prepared ourselves to make sure we win the Community Shield,” Barker said.

Meanwhile, Simba player Nickson Kibabage described the match as a difficult but important encounter for his team, stressing that thorough preparation could be key to securing victory.

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“We need the result and the entire team is well prepared. As players, we will follow the coach’s instructions and put them into practice on the pitch,” Kibabage said.

Simba and Yanga will face each other tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in the Community Shield match, which will kick off at 8:30 p.m. at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

The match is expected to be fiercely contested given the longstanding rivalry between Simba and Yanga, with both sides aiming to begin the 2026/27 season by lifting silverware.