Simba dominated Young Africans despite Kariakoo derby draw – Barker

Simba SC head coach Steve Barker believes his side were better than their rivals Young Africans despite the two Tanzanian giants battling to a 0-0 draw in their first Mainland Premier League Kariakoo derby of the campaign on Sunday.

In the fixture at New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, Young Africans will be content with the result after experiencing a fierce challenge from Steve Barker’s side.

 

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The Reds came out with purpose and intent against a Young Africans side weary from heavy fixture congestion. Simba looked more dangerous and energetic in the first half but Young Africans goalkeeper Djigui Diarra did well to produce a couple of saves and keep the match scoreless.

The Young Africans attack never really found their stride. Despite the presence of inform striker Depú, the absence of Ivorian playmaker Pacôme Zouzoua had a clear effect on the Citizens.

‘I thought there was only one team’

“The first half I thought we were the far better team, we played the way we wanted to play, and that’s to control the tempo of the game, and we had really good moments in possession,” Barker told Pan-Africa Football.

“We created some half chances in that first half but I thought there was only one team that was playing, in that first, maybe 40 minutes, because the last five minutes they (Yanga) got a little bit of control.

“We gave the ball away a little bit cheaply on one or two occasions, and the last five minutes was not as controlled as the first 40 minutes.”

Simba was team that looked likely to score

Barker added: “Second half was not as controlled as we wanted but I still felt like we were the better team, we were the team that looked most likely to create something and to score a goal.

“Obviously, they were always a threat in transition, if we perhaps, you know, lost the ball in the midfield area, they are really a good transitional team with good quality players, so that was always a little risk for us.”

He concluded: “I can only be proud of what my players are showing, and demonstrating, the commitment they played with, the energy that we are bringing into every game is very fantastic.”

With both clubs eliminated from CAF interclub competitions at the group stage, all attention will be on domestic fixtures with both teams in action again on Thursday. Young Africans will clash against Singida Black Stars while Simba host Coastal Union.