Young African Sports Club (Yanga SC) has been short of spectacular these past few months with their remarkable success that has sent waves across Tanzanian football. Once in the orbit of their number one competitors, Simba Sports Club, Yanga has claimed its dominance by achieving significant success both locally and
in continental competitions. This is seen not only in the form of their wins and trophies but how they showed their strength as a team and attracting their rival’s attention, especially the fans of Simba SC.
Yanga has been playing with unity, tactical intelligence and showing great talent, all made possible by excellent coaching stuff and bringing in experienced foreign players and seasonal technical bench. This has enabled Yanga SC to deliver progress which can be seen evidently in different matches and in competitions like the CAF Confederation Cup.
With the entire buzz on Yanga, their main rivals Simba, mostly the fans of Simba Sports Club have noticed. Since they have been known to be number one in
Tanzanian football in recent years, the shift in power these last few months has brought upon mixed reactions from Simba fans. With the possibility of Yanga being number one in Tanzanian football, Simba fans have shown recognition in both a positive and negative manner.
“I give them (Yanga) their credit because they did work hard these last matches.” Faisal, a fan of Simba said. “With all the changes that they made in their team, they have to play well but they should not be so comfortable because Simba will bounce back because we always do,” he finished.
The sentiment of respect, mixed with caution is echoed by other Simba fans. Fredrick, another fan of Simba shared his thoughts: “I understand that all the glory is towards Yanga for now and they deserve it with the way they are playing, having consistence to winning each match, they even entered the competitions of CAF Confederation Cup but it should not go past people’s minds that Simba has been and will always be number one. For now, Yanga can bask in the glory but while watching out for Simba.”
The success of Yanga SC has increased the quality of football in the country. With all the winnings, the team has been able to get more points to qualify for the CAF Cup and this has not only kept Tanzanian football on the continental competitions but also brought the fans of football in Tanzania altogether with a common cause of supporting their team compete for the cup.
The challenge Yanga will face now is to maintain this momentum. Since Simba SC won’t go and let Yanga SC become the top team, they will work even harder to reclaim their spot and hence making the next seasons of football more interesting in the perspective of all football fans.
Another Simba fan, Ibrahim said, “Yanga may have their time now but they should not forget that Simba has been at the top for many years and so taking that into account and the matter of having many younger players, Simba will fight back and come back bigger and better.” If that is not a sure point of the rivalry between these two teams, well nothing else is.
In the end, the evolution of Yanga SC is evidence enough that any other club can challenge themselves for the top spot. This has given Tanzanian football a boost of confidence to reach for the sky in football world. And since the competition is still ongoing with this premier league, Yanga SC may have the glory for now but the story is far from over as Simba SC still roars for its throne as the best sports club in Tanzania.
The Tanzanian Times 