Mzansi coaches up against each other in Dar derby

Tanzania giants Simba will be hoping a training camp in South Africa will provide the impetus for success when they go up against arch foe Young Africans in the Dar-es-Salaam derby on Saturday.

The league encounter pits Simba coach Steve Barker against his South African counterpart Manqoba Mngqithi, who joined Yanga at the start of the season from Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Simba trained at Polokwane for 10 days and played several matches against South African opposition during the international window for national team matches, using the opportunity to tune up for the derby.

The clash between the Tanzanian clubs is regarded as one of the fiercest in African football and often determines which side goes on to be champions.

Yanga lead Simba on goal difference at the top of the table as both sides have won their opening six games of the new league campaign.

Yanga also beat Simba on post-match penalties at the start of the season in the Community Shield between the two sides. Last season’s two league clashes, however, were drawn, but before that Yanga beat Simba four league games in a row.

“Morale is very high among our players. They are looking at this match with great desire,” Simba club spokesman Ahmed Ally said in the build-up.

“The fact that we took them outside the country for a training camp was also a message to them that we are serious about this match and the games that follow.”

The derby is scheduled for the Uhuru Stadium in Temeke, Dar es Salaam because the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is being renovated for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, which Tanzania will co-host with neighbours Kenya and Uganda.