Yanga, Simba resume league fixtures
TANZANIA: YOUNG Africans and Simba resume their Mainland Premier League campaign today after a successful CAF Champions League week. Young Africans travel to Dodoma to face Tabora United at Jamhuri Stadium, while Simba play Kinondoni Municipal Council at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam.
After enjoying triumphs in their CAF Champions League matches, the envoys are eager to replicate the same performance in the league and be able to seize maximum points in their respective games.
At a pre-match briefing yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Simba’s Assistant Coach Selemani Matola predicted a tough match, highlighting KMC as a tough opponent with a good squad.
“It’s always a tough challenge when we play against KMC. They are a strong opponent. However, we feel well-prepared to face them. Even though it’s going to be a difficult match, we are confident that we will secure maximum points in the end. Winning every game is crucial for us to claim the league title,” he said.
KMC coach Abdulhamid Moallin said they are ready to face Simba and that their focus is on winning the game.
“We are aware that Simba are a good team with quality players who are capable of changing the game at any moment, but that does not scare us, for we need a win the same as they do,” he said.
He added: “It is another important league match for us this season and we need to be in our best form to come out clean and get the results we need though it will be a tough match.
“We will use the same approach of possessing the ball and attacking with minimal rotation of players due to injury but hopefully, it will be a good match for us.” In another pre-match interview, Yanga’s trainer Miguel Gamondi cautioned his players to be watchful as playing a match three days after a tough match is not an easy thing. He added that he is hopeful they would win and earn maximum points.
He was also concerned that the pitch wouldn’t be perfect enough to stage their usual playing style but they will try to adapt and win the game. Tabora United coach, Goran Kopunivic pointed out that his charges had convincing preparations and are ready to take on the defending champions.
“We are fully prepared to face the Young Africans. We are well aware that they are a big club with experience in the Champions League. We need to be cautious throughout the game when defending and attacking,” he remarked.
After today’s game, Yanga will visit Kagera Sugar for their second away backto-back duel at Kaitaba Stadium in Kagera on Tuesday before hosting struggling side Mashujaa at Azam Complex in the city on December 29th. For Simba, after facing KMC, they will travel to play Mashujaa at Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma before facing Tabora United in another away fixture on December 29th.
