Photo Credit - Simba SC Tanzania.
Simba SC head coach Fadlu Davids has made it clear his expectations ahead of the Mainland Premier League fixture against rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) that is slated for Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Saturday.
Davids explained that in the last two matches of the derby, the Wekundu wa Msimbazi had managed to hold the league champions by making them play without a ball for a long time, a situation that gave them control of the game even though they ended up losing.
However, he admitted this particular fixture presents new challenges from Yanga having a new coach, although he does not have enough time to change the team's system, saying that his team will attack and own the ball.
“We have got a good chance to prepare for that game which we believe will be tough but we are ready to make sure we get three points,” Davids told Pan-Africa Football. “The players are in a very good condition and we are ready to show clean football and get a positive result.”
Asked to reveal Simba’s readiness for his third derby in charge, the South African said: “We are ready for Saturday’s game, we know it will be tough but we have prepared to do well. Yanga is the best team and they will give us a lot of competition but we are prepared.”
Davids added: “My players know what happened in the past two derbies and they know this derby they only need three points, words don’t win matches we will talk in the field. I thank our fans for giving us strength this season, they have been of great help to us, I promise you that they will see their team giving all percent and showing quality, also playing at the right pace throughout the game.”
Simba have lost to Yanga already twice this season. The first defeat came in the Community Shield final where Yanga won 2-1 before the first round fixture of the league which Simba lost 1-0 courtesy of an own goal.
Last season, Yanga sealed a double over Simba, winning the first round 5-1 before beating them 2-1 in the reverse fixture. In the previous campaign, after the two sides settled for a 1-1 draw in the first round meeting, Simba recovered to win the second round 2-1.
In the last seven league matches, Simba have only managed to beat Yanga once, while Yanga have registered three wins, with the other three ending in draws.
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