SIMBA Head Coach Robertino Oliviera has predicted a good Community Shield grand finale against traditional rivals Young Africans saying he is going to prepare a winning strategy.
The two heavyweights meet in the grand finale of the 2023 Community Shield at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga this Sunday, to find who deserves the silverware.
Simba roared into the final following a post-match 4-2 win over Singida Fountain Gate in a thrilling semifinal at the same venue on late Thursday evening after converting all their four kicks.
They netted through Luis Miquissone, Saido Ntibazonkiza, Mzamiru Yassin and Moses Phiri who together propelled their side to the top two stage of the tournament.
For Singida Fountain Gate, out of the four taken penalties, they only managed to score two courtesy of Duke Abuya and Marouf Tchakei while Aziz Andabwile and Yusuf Kagoma missed theirs respectively.
In his immediate interview after the match, Oliveira insisted that he is expecting a good traditional derby encounter saying he respect his opponents a lot.
“I think it is going to be a good derby and we are going to prepare a good winning strategy because our aim is to be crowned champions,” he said.
He then hailed his players for displaying great performance on the day though he admitted that his Samba soccer style did not work well at the Mkwakwani pitch.
“Simba is a big club and my strategy every time is to play offensive football with compactness in midfield and playing a lot in the opponent segment…I think some of the second half substitutions we made helped us a lot to dominate the encounter,” he said.
On his part, Singida Fountain Gate trainer Hans Van Pluijm also heaped praise on his players saying they were tactically good throughout the game.
“Before the match, I told them (players) that we are not here to participate but rather to win the tournament and as you saw, the pressure was on them (Simba),” he said.
Moreover, he remarked that the goal they scored early into the game was clear though it was disallowed in the end.
“I think luck was not to our side but I am impressed with the spirit shown by my players who really worked hard for the team. I also laud the management of the club for bringing on board players with football intelligence,” Pluijm said.
In another development, Yanga through their Media and Communication Manager Ali Kamwe said their winger Mahlatse Makudubela is progressing well after picking an early injury during their game with Azam which rendered him to be substituted.
However, history is set to be compiled in Tanga for staging the first ever traditional derby match as many people are pegged to flood the venue.
