Competitive football is off and running for the 2023-24 season in Tanzanian football with the commencement of the country’s four-team Community Shield competition late this week. Top power clubs Simba SC and Young Africans SC got off to winning starts with victories over Singida Fountain Gate and Azam FC respectively in the semifinals.
On Thursday, defending Tanzanian champions Young Africans found two late goals to advance past Azam. After a physically bruising first half and a lack of good opportunities it was Yanga who found a way. Stephane Aziz Ki fired in a curling effort in the 85th minute to put The Citizens ahead before Clement Mzize won the ball deep in Azam territory and fired in the second a few minutes later.
Simba also looked a bit rusty upon their return to competitive action but managed to advance. Singida Fountain Gate (formerly known as Singida Big Stars) had an early goal disallowed and gave The Reds all they could handle. The teams ended ninety minutes in a scoreless deadlock and Simba kept their nerve to convert all four penalty kicks in the shootout. A miss for Singida Fountain Gate on their first and third kicks confirmed victory for Simba in the end setting up a Kariakoo Derby final that will take place on Sunday following the third place match between Singida and Azam.
Highlights from both semifinal matches are below following the list of scores.
Scores
Semifinals
Young Africans 2-0 Azam FC
Simba SC 0-0 Singida Fountain Gate
(Simba advances 4-2 on penalty kicks)
Highlights
Young Africans 2-0 Azam FC
Simba 0-0 Singida Fountain Gate (Highlights)
Simba 0-0 Singida Fountain Gate (Penalty Kicks)
