The Kariakoo Derby, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate on Sunday, somewhat gives you a sneak peek of where the league title will go.
Of course, football is football, and things tend to swing in either direction. However, if one wonders who the stronger of the two teams is, the Derby clears that up.
Simba has a bit of an edge
Simba enjoyed a greater share of possession, particularly in the first half and in phases in the second half. As they say, numbers don’t lie. The fact that their defence has been breached thrice this season [in the league], as opposed to Yanga’s five, suggests they are more compact.
In fact, Simba have conceded four goals in all competitions, with the other being a penalty against Angola’s Primero de Agosto.
Stephane Aziz Ki – a big game player
The Yanga new signing scored a free-kick from 35m outside the 18-yard box. This was the third time he has scored against Simba. Of course, the first two goals were in Asec Mimosas colours in the CAF Confederation Cup last season.
Earlier in the season, he provided the assist for Fiston Mayele in the 2-1 win over their bitter rivals in the Community Shield Kariakoo Derby.
The downside, though, is that he looked like a luxury player before his goal. The type of player one can’t afford when possession isn’t guaranteed. You want to be dominating possession if you’re going to play Aziz Ki.
Yanga is vulnerable to counter-attacks.
It was the third successive game in which Yanga were hurt on the counter. They were hit on the counter in either leg of their CAF Champions League clash with Sudan’s Al Hilal. Coach Nasreddine Nabi admitted after the Kariakoo Derby that they are indeed vulnerable.
“It has been a big problem, but we are trying our level best to make sure we fix it,” Nabi said after the game.
In both legs against Al Hilal, they were hit on the counter. On Sunday, they were hit on the counter again.
Clatous Chama
While Chama rarely shines in derbies, the game underlined his brilliance. His assist in the first half was class. The Zambian international hardly impacted the game after the classy assist.
Yanga’s Congolese connection
Yanga had five Congolese players in the starting line-up. Djuma Shabani, Jesus Moloko, Yannick Bangala, Fiston Mayele, Tuisila Kisinda all started. Heritier Makambo was on the bench.
