NBC Tanzania Premier League – Kariakoo Derby Preview

It’s been a disappointing season thus far for the Tanzanian champions, with Simba SC some way off the pace, being two points adrift of their Kariakoo rivals and also getting knocked out of the CAF Champions League in the preliminary round.

Simba were impressive in the Champions League last season, beating the likes of Al Ahly and topping their group. They got knocked out by Kaizer Chiefs in the quarter-finals and a lot of improvements were expected this time around. The Tanzanian champions were drawn with Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy. The first leg in Botswana ended 2-0 in favour of Simba and we all thought they are through to the group stages as expected. Come the second leg at the Benjamin Mkapa, the host were 1-0 at half-time, meaning Jwaneng would have to dig deep and score three without reply to progress. The Simba players got complacent and paid a big price.

The scored ended 3-1 in favour of the away side and the Reds were knocked out on away goal rule. That was a harsh reminder to the East Africans that sustain concentration is needed in big tournaments. Simba head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa following the embarrassing exit.

Former Real Madrid assistant coach Pablo Martin was called up to replace Didier Games and the mandate is simple: defend the NBC Premier League and reach the semi-finals of the CAF Confederations Cup.  However, one would argue and say Simba are not the same this season after losing key players Luis Miquissone to Al Ahly and Clatous Chama JR who joined RS Berkane in Morocco.

Yanga have shown massive improvements this season. They are currently top of the log with 17 points winning six and drawing one from the seven matches played. They’ve only conceded two goals and scored 12.

The impressive start saw Nasreddine Nabi win Coach of the Month for October while star midfielder Feisal Salum ‘Feitoto’ was named Player of the Month. Feisal has been one of the best players in the league this season and is the early candidate for Player of the Season. The 23-year-old Tanzanian international has been the main instigator, scoring crackers and assisting. Another player who has been in blistering form for the Young Africans is Fiston Kalala Mayele who for me is the best number 9 in the continent thus far.

Mayele was the difference when these two sides met at the beginning of the season in the Community Shield. The Congolese was also on target in the Dar es Salaam derby when Yanaga beat Azam SC 2-0. Yanga will, however, be without their jersey no. 10 Yacouba Sogne who is out with a knee injury. It will be interesting to see who coach Nabi selects to fill the void. Many fans have opted for Sadio Ntibazonkiza who scored the opening goal in the last game against Mbeya Kwanza. Saido is a deadball specialist and you need such players in such big games – but some fans have been calling for Farid Mussa to be a regular, who for me it’s still quality for quality and that’s the kind of headache the coach wants.