Barker urges Simba to close gap by beating Young Africans in derby

Simba SC head coach Steve Barker has admitted being concerned with the gap between them and Mainland Premier League champions Young Africans ahead of their eagerly awaited Kariakoo derby at New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Sunday.

Currently, Young Africans is sitting at the top of the table with 28 points, the same number as second-placed Tanzania Prisons while Simba are lying third, five points adrift of the champions.

⏭️ Kariakoo Derby. #NBCPremierLeague #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/1r1wnJLjEn

— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) February 28, 2026

A win for Yanga against Simba will make the points difference to reach eight, and according to Barker, the Msimbazi Reds must do everything to win the derby in order to stay in contention and close in on their rivals.

‘It is important we close the gap’

“If one looks at our previous results, you know we are starting to show signs of a team that has an identity, we showing signs of a team that is difficult to play against, difficult to score against,” Barker told Pan-Africa Football.

“In midweek we obviously created enough chances, and we could have won the game, so, we are still disappointed in that. We didn’t get maximum points but against, I keep on saying that, you know it is in the past, and we can’t change the result, but we can shape our future by winning tomorrow (Sunday).”

Barker added: “Looking at the log, you know after Sunday’s game it is going to be five or eight points, a difference between ourselves and Yanga, and obviously for us to achieve our objective and ambition to challenge, it is important that we close the gap.

Young Africans have won last five derbies

“We have motivation to win the game, with the previous and the current log table, it is just doing it for our fans, and we get ourselves the motivation is really very high, so, I am not concerned about motivating the players at the highest level.

Kazi kazi. #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/LxvU8juhPa

— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) February 28, 2026

“It is now about executing minor details, on how to handle key moments in the match, and making sure we get our opportunities that we can capitalise on.”

Young Africans have won the last five derbies against Simba. Last season they sealed a double on their way to win the league title. In the first meeting, Yanga won 2-0, before winning the second contest 1-0.