NEWS
Young Africans battle Simba SC in biggest League derby in CECAFA Zone
All roads will lead to the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium today Saturday to witness the Kariakoo derby in the NBC Tanzania Premier League between arch-rivals Young Africans SC and Simba SC.
It is also the biggest League derby in the CECAFA Zone which will pit the two teams in the Zone that reached the quarter final stage of the 2023/2024 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
After bowing out at the quarter final stage of TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, the two sides will be all out to try and prove a point to send a strong message to their fans. Of course Young Africans SC go into the match with a lot of confidence with a 4 point league on the log ahead of Azam FC who have played two matches more, while Simba SC have 46 points from 20 matches.
Miguel Gamondi, the Young Africans SC head coach said that although it is a derby, it is like any other game. ” We have prepared well and the players are very motivated to come out and win the match. Yes we respect our opponents and what happened before will not matter in the match on Saturday, ” said Gamondi.
In their last meeting i the first leg of the League last November, Young Africans brushed a side their rivals 5-1 in a match played at the same Stadium.
But Simba SC who bowed out of the CRDB Bank Confederation Cup few days ago are expected to come all out to try and prove a point. Selemani Matola, the Simba SC assistant coach said during an interview that although they know their opponents are enjoying good form, they are well prepared for the match.
” We are well prepared and remember this is a derby which makes it a very strong match, ” added Matola. The Simba SC captain Shomari Kapombe also summed it up saying they have prepared well and will be all out targeting three points from that match.
While Simba SC will look to the experience of Burundian international Saidi Ntibazonkiza and Clatous Chama for the goals, Young Africans Sc will hope that their midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki who has netted 14 goals in the League now finds his scoring touch.
Referee Ahmed Arajiga is expected to take charge of the match which is expected to attract over 40,000 spectators from within Tanzania and from other countries.
Besides the Tanzanian Kariakoo derby, the other big derbies in the CECAFA Zone include Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards in Kenya, and Al Merriekh and Al Hilal in Sudan.
Jamus Sports Club are the champions of the inaugural 2024/2025 South Sudan Premier League
Making their first appearance in the South Sudan Premier League, Jamus SC finished unbeaten after stopping Al Hilal FC Wau 5-1 in their last match played on Saturday.
Christian Theodore gave Jamus SC the lead after 10 minutes at the Juba National Stadium. George Rodriguez added two more goals for Jamus SC before the interval.
Mario Taban made it 4-0 for Jamus SC two minutes into the second half, and Rodriguez completed his hat-trick. Fadul Osman pulled a goal back for Al Hilal FC Wau.
Jamus SC finished the season with 68 points from 26 matches played. The team won 21 matches and recorded five draws. Kator FC finished third with 62 points, while former champions El Merriekh SC Bentiu collected 58 points to finish in third place.
Jamus SC have been in very good form this season which saw them also win the Super Cup and Zain South Sudan Cup.
The team will now represent South Sudan in the 2025/2026 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup.
The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has rescheduled the inaugural CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship.
The inaugural Championship which was slated to take place June 6-11th will now take centre stage between July 7-12th in Mombasa, Kenya.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this postponement may cause to your preparations and plans. Our intention remains to deliver a high-quality competition, and this adjustment will allow us to meet all necessary requirements for a smooth and memorable event,” said CECAFA’s Executive Director, Auka Gecheo.
The teams that have already confirmed participation include; Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zanzibar, Burundi and guest sides Malawi and Seychelles.
APR Football Club have retained the Rwanda Premier League title.
The army side were crowned champions on Wednesday after defeating Musanze FC 3-1 in their last match played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. Bosco Rubonneka netted a hat-trick for APR FC.
APR FC who also lifted the Peace Cup finished the season with 67 points from 30 matches played, while their arch-rivals Rayon Sport came second with 63 points.
APR FC will now represent Rwanda in the 2025/2026 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup.
Last year APR FC were runners-up in the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup after losing to guest side Red Arrows FC from Zambia in the final.
Meanhwhile, the Somali Premier League was also decided last week with Mogadishu City Club FC emerging champions with 57 points, while Heegan FC finished second with 51 points.
The other Premier Leagues in the CECAFA region that have already been concluded include; Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti.
The President of the Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) attended a historic peace match at the Mogadishu Stadium on Tuesday.
In a sign of solidarity and support, President Augustino Parek Maduot watched the match featuring some African Legends and a selected team. Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre also garced the ceremony.
The African football legends who featured in the match watched by a big crowd included Samuel Eto’o (now Cameroon Football President and CAF Executive Member), Jay-Jay Okocha, and Emmanuel Adebayor. President of the Djibouti Football Federation and FIFA Council Member Suleiman Waberi also featured in the match.
“I am happy to be in Somalia because we must always support our members in the Zone. It is always good to be united as a Football family,” said the CECAFA President Maduot.
Somalia’s Prime Minister said the event marks a significant milestone in their efforts to restore the image and strength of Somali sports. “The presence of international stars and sports leaders shows that global confidence in Somalia is returning,” added Barre.
The match also served as an opportunity to assess Somalia’s readiness to host international fixtures in standard stadiums, amid renewed efforts to upgrade sports infrastructure across the country.
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