Yanga claimed the Kariakoo derby bragging rights with a 1-0 win over Simba in a 2020-21 Vodacom Mainland Premier League match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Zawadi Mauya’s first goal in the biggest fixture in the Tanzanian football calendar earned the Jangwani Boys a hard-fought victory against a wasteful Simba side.
Yanga were the better team in the early exchanges and conjured the first shot in anger through Sogne Yacouba who pushed a rasping effort inches wide of goal, after having found a pocket of space on the edge of the area in the fourth minute.
Feisal Salum was afforded time and space on the edge of the hosts’ box and he unleashed a shot which was saved comfortably by a well-positioned in the Aishi Manula goal-posts.
Simba looked dangerous on transition as Chris Mugalu’s thunderous long-range shot went just over the crossbar with Yanga goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo rooted to the ground.
However, it was Yanga who broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, as an un-marked Mauya fired past Manula from 20-yards out, after it took a deflection off experienced Hussein.
Nasreddine Nabi’s side grew in confidence after taking the lead and could have been further ahead but Kaseke could only fire straight at Manula, although squaring the ball looked the better option.
Bernard Morrison was involved when Simba got their first shot on target as the veteran attacker set-up Miqquisone, whose first-time low shot was well saved by Shikalo.
Simba continued to threaten on the counter and Kibwana had to make a crucial clearance from Pascal Wawa’s pass which was meant for an unmarked Bocco and the score was 1-0 at half-time.
Msimbazi Reds came out much stronger in the second half and nearly found an equalizer in the 56th minute but Mugalu’s effort from distance was kept out by the woodwork.
The frame of the goal then denied Yanga in the 64th minute, as Sogne’s deflected effort off Kapombe and crashed onto the crossbar.
Faroul Shikalo came to Yanga’ rescue in the 83rd minute, the shot-stopper came off his line and pulled off a fine save to keep out Meddie Kagere’s close range effort.
That proved to be Simbas’ last real chance of the match and Yanga managed to hold on to their narrow lead and ultimately, they emerged 1-0 winners over their archrivals on the day.
