)
The two clubs have made key investments that are paying heavy dividends going by their impressive performances in CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup
Tanzanian giants Simba and Yanga secured a huge advantage in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup quarter-final first legs respectively at the weekend.
Simba pulled off a shock 1-0 win over Champions League holders Wydad Casablanca in Dar es Salaam on Saturday while Yanga edged out Nigeria’s Rivers United 2-0 in the Confederation Cup in Uyo on Sunday.
)
20:30 - 23.04.2023
FOOTBALL Simba coach reveals how Joash Onyango and co secured shock win over Moroccan giants Wydad
The Brazilian tactician lauded his players for sticking to the game plan in the CAF Champions League quarter-final tie
It leaves both teams needing to avoid defeat this week to make it to the semi-final. For Simba, it will be a first semi-final of a CAF competition since 1974, while Yanga will be making history since they have never been to the last four of a continental competition.
Still, a lot of work to do for either side, especially Simba who will have to deal with a hostile atmosphere in Morocco but just how have the two sides managed to do it?
Good home record
Both Simba and Yanga have ensured that they do not lose at home in their continental assignments this season. Simba started their Champions League campaign against Nyasa Big Bullets of Malawi who they beat home and away in the first preliminary round before they took on Angola’s Primero de Agosto in the second preliminary round and triumphed in both legs.
At the group stage, they only lost one home match, to Morocco’s Raja Casablanca, but wins against Horoya and Vipers in Dar es Salaam, coupled with a victory away to the Ugandan side, saw them secure second place in the group on nine points to set up the quarter-final meeting with Wydad.
Yanga, meanwhile, started the season in the Champions League before they fell down to the Confederation Cup but had not lost at home on their way to the second preliminary round where they went down 2-1 on aggregate to Al-Hill of Sudan who they held 1-1 in Dar es Salaam.
)
19:10 - 22.04.2023
FOOTBALL CAFCL: Clean sheet for Joash Onyango as Simba down defending champions Wydad
Harambee Stars defender Joash Onyango clocked 90 minutes in the African Champions League clash.
They then went past Tunisia’s Club Africain unscathed to make it to the group stage where home wins against TP Mazembe, Real Bamako and Monastir, coupled with a draw away to the Malian side, sent them to the quarter-final as group winners.
Multiple sponsorship
Unlike Kenyan clubs who go with begging bowls almost every year, the Tanzanian giants have no such problems and have multiple sponsors who boost their coffers.
Simba have eight sponsors while Yanga have four and this, added to the revenue they receive from league broadcaster Azam TV, plus gate collection from fans who attend matches in large numbers, means they can be able to finance their activities with ease and travel for continental matches without hitches as compared to many African clubs.
Investment in top players
With the cash windfall, the two sides have become a favourite destination for many top players around the continent which has added quality, experience, and competitiveness.
Simba for instance have Harambee Stars defender Joash Onyango, whose defensive partner Henock Inonga Baka is Congolese, while Zambian forward Clatous Chama has compatriots Moses Phiri and Peter Banda in the squad. There is also Malian Sadio Kanoute, Burundian Saidi Ntibazonkiza, and Senegalese Pape Ousmane Sakho who add to the list of the foreign contingent.
Yanga, meanwhile, have Sunday’s two-goal hero Fiston Kalala Mayele from DR Congo, his Ivorian strike partner Stephane Aziz Ki, goalkeeper Djigui Diarra (Mali), Ugandan Khalid Aucho, Congolese duo Yannick Bangala Litombo and Joyce Lomalisa as well as Zambian international Kennedy Musonda among others.
All these players are on attractive perks which gives the two sides the edge against their regional rivals given the quality they add.
Experienced coaches
While they do not have patience with their coaches, they ensure those who come in have the requisite experience. Simba’s Brazilian Roberto Oliveira Goncalves do Carmo, alias Robertinho, is a former Rayon Sport and Vipers coach who led the clubs to league success as well as continental assignments.
Besides, he plays an attractive brand of football that focuses on retaining possession, and his side has been able to suffocate their opponents by denying them the ball in key areas as witnessed against Wydad.
At Yanga, Tunisian Nasreddine Nabi has been at the club since 2021, leading them to their last two league titles, and is an astute coach who is never afraid to make tactical tweaks to his side midway through the match.
The 58-year-old previously handled Saudi’s Al-Ahli, Ismaily of Egypt as well as Sudan giants Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh. His side like to play a high-pressing game and has had a preference for a back three in the recent past where the wingbacks act as another attacking outlet when in possession.
President Suluhu’s incentive
Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan has also played a major part in ensuring the two sides are highly-motivated in CAF matches after she started a presidential reward of Tsh5 million (Ksh289,000) for each goal either side scores in continental assignments.
That has added competition within the squads of Simba and Yanga as players from both teams jostle to score, leading to the good results.
Suluhu is due to hand over the reward for the latest wins which will leave her Tsh15 million (Ksh867,000) poorer as Yanga are set to receive Tsh10 million (Ksh578,000) for their two goals while Simba get Tsh5 million, ahead of the second leg this week.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)