‘We’re still hurt as Simba’ – Fadlu Davids ahead of Kariakoo Derby
Newly-appointed Simba SC coach Fadlu Davids gears up for his first Kariako Derby when he guides his charges against bitter rivals Young Africans in the Community Shield.
Davids took over the hot seat at Simba last month just before they jetted out to Egypt for preseason.
He is aware that his new club’s fans are still hurting after their rivals completed a double over them on their way to lifting their third successive title. Yanga not only completed a double, but they also humiliated Simba in the first leg, beating them 5-1.
The former Raja Athletic Club assistant coach kicks off his season against crosstown rivals Yanga. Addressing the media ahead of the much-awaited fixture, he shared how he intends to approach the fixture.
“We’re still hurt as Simba fans for last season. The 5-1 and the 2-1, if you talk about the league. Those losses [hurt the fan base],” Davids said, adding that he has watched both matches. “But we’re a new team; we’ve started a new project. We will approach this match with our chest out.”
HOW FADLU DAVIDS INTENDS TO APPROACH HIS FIRST KARIAKOO DERBY
Wekundu wa Msimbazi were 2-0 winners over Rwanda giants APR FC on Simba Day. Davids said the game against APR gave him a glimpse of his squad’s potential.
However, he believes the Yanga tie will give an even truer test for his charges. “It will give us the true test in terms of where we are. This match won’t decide how we do in the Tanzanian league but will give an indication of where we are ….”
He admitted that it won’t be easy to integrate 14 new players into the team. Nonetheless, he vows they will not be “defensive minded against this team because you’ll be sitting in a low block the whole game”. He said they will “throw punches” at their rivals.
“You cannot go out high pressing for 90 minutes because that’s not possible we’re only four weeks into our project,” he said. “We’ll create a strategy that we can impose our match but we’ll also be wary of their threat.”
Davids is convinced there is “not much difference between the two teams in terms of player quality.” Yanga’s edge, according to the Simba mentor, is that they have more cohesion, as they’ve been together for a while.
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