Simba SC trio Neo Maema, Rushine De Reuck, and Keletso Makgalwa have outlined their tactical mindset ahead of Saturday’s Kariakoo Derby against their former coach, Manqoba Mngqithi.
Tanzanian titans Simba SC and Young Africans SC renew their fierce rivalry on Saturday at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam with kick off set for 18:00 CAT.
The clash carries massive title implications, with both heavyweights sitting tied at the summit of the Tanzanian Premier League standings. The showdown is also widely considered one of the fiercest rivalries in African football.
Simba spent 10 days in Polokwane during the recent FIFA international break, playing several friendly matches against South African opposition to sharpen their preparations ahead of the derby.
The encounter also marks the second tactical battle between Steve Barker’s Simba and Mngqithi’s Yanga SC, following Yanga’s narrow 1-0 win in the Tanzanian Community Shield back in August.
For Maema, who is in his second campaign in East Africa at Simba, the objective extends beyond individual rivalries.
“What I can say is that it’s going to be a difficult match,” Maema told FARPost in an exclusive interview. “We know what we’re playing against. You know how Coach Manqoba likes to tweak his tactics. Obviously, derby is bragging rights—it’s two giants against each other.”
“We are joint on top of the log, same points, though they have a few more goals than us,” Maema explained. “It’s a good match, and we had a good run leading up to the derby. We had a difficult spell of matches, but we are looking forward to it.”
DE REUCK READY FOR TACTICAL TEST AND SHALULILE DUEL
Simba co-captain De Reuck is expected to lead out Barker’s side on Saturday. While preparing for Mngqithi’s tactical adjustments, the centre-back is also relishing another physical duel against Yanga striker Peter Shalulile.
“When coach Manqoba comes with his tactics or whatever, we just have to try and apply ourselves in the best possible way,” De Reuck said.
“The first game already set the tone; it was a good battle between the two of us,” he added regarding his duel with Shalulile. “He’s a very smart striker who has proven himself over the years at Mamelodi Sundowns and Highlands Park. It’s going to be a big one, and it’s a challenge I’m really excited for.”
MAKGALWA RELISHES MASSIVE ATMOSPHERE
Having watched the Community Shield clash from the substitutes’ bench, former Sekhukhune United attacker Makgalwa is eager for his first playing minutes in East Africa’s biggest fixture.
The winger admitted that the sheer scale of the rivalry was unlike anything he had witnessed previously in his career.
“I’ve never seen that in my entire life to be honest,” Makgalwa noted. “The atmosphere there is massive. The fans demand a lot from the players and they don’t want to lose against Yanga. So we spoke as guys that we can’t lose again to them.”
With both teams locked on equal points at the top of the table, Saturday’s showdown offers Simba an immediate opportunity to reclaim bragging rights and claim sole possession of first place.
The presence of South African talent on both technical benches and on the pitch adds an intriguing sub-plot to one of the African continent’s most passionate derby encounters.
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