A rivalry spanning more than half a century will be renewed on Sunday afternoon at Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma as Simba SC face old foes Yanga in the Tanzania FA Cup final.
Simba and Yanga have a long and storied history and are the two most successful teams in this competition with both sides having won this trophy a combined eight times.
Simba has lifted the trophy four times same as Yanga since the top knockout tournament was established in 1974 as Nyerere Cup before it changed name to FA Cup.
Throughout the history of this tournament, the sides have clashed 10 times previously, with their first meeting coming in the 1984 final, a game won 3-1 by Simba.
Last year, both teams met in FA Cup semi-finals where Simba thrashed Yanga 4-1, with the Msimbazi Reds managed their goals through Brazilian Gerson Fraga, Zambian midfielder Clatous Chama, Mozambique international Luis Miquissone and Muzamiru Yassin while Yanga scored their consolation courtesy of Feisal Salum.
Simba went on and raked the silverware after beating Namungo FC 2-0 in a final that was played at Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha.
To reach this year’s FA Cup final, Simba were made to work before beating Azam FC 1-0 while Yanga saw off Biashara United 1-0 to set up a mouth watering clash.
Mozambique’s international Luis Miquissone scored a 90th minute winner for Simba in a tough match that was played at the Majimaji Stadium in Songea.
Yanga beating Basahara United sailed them to the final for the first final in three years and they were rewarded in the 21st minute when striker Yacouba Songne scored the all-important goal.
The Jagwani giants failed to have a flawless campaign in recently concluded season and despite beating league leaders Simba in June, they struggled to finish in second spot with Azam and Biashara United offering stiff competition.
Simba on their side won the Mainland Vodacom Premier League (VPL) trophy again this season,and now want to complete a domestic double.
However, Simba coach Didier Gomes has warned his charges against a Ynaga side that beat 1-0 in their last meeting in Tanzania Premier League.
“The game between Simba and Yanga is not small, it is big as it is in fifth place in the best match in Africa.
“So we have to get the best results of the victory that will benefit me to set records, to make our fans happy,” said Gomes.
This is the second time that Simba and Yanga are meeting in the FA Cup since its re-launch six years ago while in the same period, both sides have won the title only once.
Kick-off for the game is at 14:00 UTC and will broadcast live on Azam Sports 1 and Azam Sports 2, with the live build up starting at 14:00 Tanzania FA Online Radio.
