Young Africans (Yanga SC) maintained supremacy against their traditional rivals, Simba, after recording a 2-1 Mainland Tanzania Premier League victory at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.
In the first leg encounter held on November 5, 2023, Yanga won 5-1 at the same venue. This marks the 40th victory for Yanga against Simba since 1965 in the history of the 112 matches they have played. Simba have recorded 32 wins, with 40 draws.
Yanga also scored 120 goals against Simba’s 105 in their head-to-head encounters. The Jangwani Street lads have accumulated 160 points against Simba’s 136. The victory also solidifies Yanga’s dominance at the top spot with 58 points from 22 matches, 12 points ahead of Simba, who are currently placed third with 46 points.
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Azam FC holds the second position with 51 points from 23 matches played. Simba started the match strongly but missed three clear chances in the first 15 minutes. The Msimbazi Street side’s midfielder, Sadio Kanoute, missed a clear chance in the second minute as his header was saved by Yanga goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra.
Kanoute also missed another opportunity two minutes later, shooting wide following a good pass from Saido Ntibazonkiza. Yanga’s defense seemed unstable as they allowed Simba to continue pressing, and Kibu Dennis failed to score in the 13th minute after shooting wide.
Later, Clatous Chama’s shot was saved by Diarra in the 14th minute. The Jangwani Street side rejuvenated and began to take command of the game, with Clement Mzize, Maxi Nzengeli, and Stephane Aziz Ki pressing against Simba’s defense.
Yanga celebrated their first goal through a penalty scored by Aziz Ki in the 19th minute. This goal propelled the Burkinabe attacking midfielder to dominate the Golden Boot race with 14 goals, two ahead of Azam FC attacking midfielder Feisal Salum, who has so far scored 12 goals. Match referee Ahmed Arajiga awarded Yanga a penalty following a foul play by Simba defender Hussein Kazi, who substituted Henoc Inonga Baka due to injury.
Yanga continued to dominate the game and celebrated their second goal through Joseph Guede after a good pass from Khalid Aucho. Before scoring, Guede beat Simba goalkeeper Ayoub Lakred and scored easily.
- Courtesy The Citizen.