TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Yanga’s defence and transitions kept Simba firmly under their thumb
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Reading Time: 5min | Wed. 17.09.25. | 19:30
In this tactical analysis piece, we unpack how both teams set up and the move from the norm at Yanga that saw them land the ultimate punch against their bitter rivals
The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium hosted the Ngao ya Jamii (Community Shield) as Tanzanian and East African giants Yanga and Simba locked horns in yet another Kariokor Derby.
The two teams were busy in the transfer window as Simba, still under the tutelage of coach Fadlu Davids, brought in the much-needed quality in defender Rushine De Reuck and Bafana Bafana CHAN captain Neo Maema, among others.
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This was done with the main hope of seeing them go one better than last season and win a trophy.
Last season, Simba came so near yet so far in all competitions, reaching the final of the CAF Confederation Cup and finishing second to Yanga in the league.
Yanga, on the other hand, performed dismally according to their standards in the CAF Champions League, where they went out at the group stages.
They were, however, unplayable in domestic competitions despite changing coaches three times.
This season, Yanga brought in well-travelled Romain Folz as coach.
Known for his intriguing training programs and structure that his team portrays, the tactician began his stint with a big win over the rivals.
After losing talisman Aziz Ki to Wydad and the release of the long-serving Khalid Aucho, Yanga dipped into the West African market and got notable replacements in Lassine Kouma and Musa Conte.
Aucho joined Singida Black Stars, where he will be sharing the dressing room with Harambee Stars forward Elvis Rupia.
In this tactical analysis piece, we unpack how both teams set up and the move from the norm at Yanga that saw them land the ultimate punch against their bitter rivals.
Simba set up in their nominal 4-2-3-1 on paper, with Moussa Camara in goal, Shomari Kapombe, Naby Camara, Rushine De Reuck, and Abdurazak Hamza forming the back four.
The double pivot consisted of Yusuf Kagoma and Allassane Kante with Jean Charles Ahoua in the attacking midfield position.
Kibu Dennis and Eli Mpanzu were the wingers, with Steven Mukwala leading the line.
Yanga set up in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Djigui Diarra in goal, Chadrack Boka and Israel Mwenda were the fullbacks.
Dickson Job and Ibrahim Bacca continued their long-standing defensive partnership at the heart of the back line.
Duke Abuya and Aziz Andambwile played as the double pivot with Pacome Zouozua and Maxi Nzengeli as wide players
The surprise call was for coach Folz to have Mudathir Yahya play just off the striker Prince Dube.
From the onset, it was clear that Yanga were looking to sit off in a 4-4-1-1 and leave the impetus to Simba.
In their midblock, they funneled Simba wide, looking to stay compact with two banks of four denying any central penetration.
Simba kept to their initial phases of play, especially in build-up up with a 2-2 seen normally.
The fullbacks pushed high and wide, providing the width with Kibu and Mpanzu operating between the lines.
In instances where the goalkeeper stepped in between the centre backs, Simba had a 3v2 in the initial line, leaving Mudathir and Dube at a disadvantage.
As below, Simba goalkeeper Camara has stepped into the backline to act as an extra player on the ball.
With the Yanga backline and midfield dropping off, Simba were left with space in their first phase.
The Simba midfielders would drop to receive in the wide areas, putting more strain on the initial first line of pressure, especially on the Yanga left with Pacome very low to aid against a 2v1 against Boka.
As seen below, Kante of Simba wide to receive in build-up with the left back advanced.
This allowed Kante to receive freely.
The positive for Yanga was that they were compact, thus Simba could not play through them.
However, Simba had an answer to this; they now used the goalkeeper Camara to play long kicks to open the formation.
His accurate kicks into the attackers aided in progressing Simba higher up, allowing their key attacking players to become a threat.
The sustained pressure saw Simba create two chances from set pieces, with a corner kick seeing Mukwala head free at the near post unmarked.
A free kick to the far post saw Hamza head, but a point-blank save by Diarra at the near post kept Yanga in the match.
The principles of fullbacks' high and wide making out to in runs saw Kapombe played in, with Diarra coming out tops, again, and narrowing the angle with a good 1v1 save.
Yanga built up in a 2-1 from the back, but Simba's aggressive high press in 4-1-3-2 saw them not able to start out well from the back.
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Yanga then adjusted, knowing they had legs in Abuya and Mudathir.
They went long from the center-backs or Andambwile, who had a good game in midfield.
The advanced midfielders would create a 2v1 against the isolated Simba pivot, and from there, they played from the second ball.
Yanga created good, wide combinations.
Dube, according to the game, was picked due to his ability to operate in the channel, running off defenders.
Simba threatened on the sides, and Yanga struggled to sustain periods of possession.
Simba centre back Hamza went off with an injury, with Karaboue replacing him.
After the break, Mudathir was hooked off for Ivorian Mohammed Doumbia, a move aimed at having presence between the lines.
Doumbia proved to be a challenge, drawing fouls from Kante, who went into the referee's book.
Yanga then landed the ultimate punch with a shot deflecting into the path of Nzengeli, whose effort was saved by Camara, only to land at the feet of Zouzoua to give Yanga the lead.
Yanga then brought on Clement Mzize for Prince Dube.
Mussa Conte came in for Abuya, with livewire Celestine Ecua being thrown in for Max Nzengeli.
The changes set Yanga into a defensive mode, hitting Simba with transitions, thanks to Ecua's pace.
The addition of former Simba captain Mohammed Hussein also saw Simba shore up things on the left and stifle Yanga's progression.
Simba, knowing they were in for a defeat, brought on Neo Maema for Mpanzu and Selemani Mwalimu for Mukwala.
Selemani brought in some urgency as Simba threw the kitchen sink at it.
Opting for long balls, Kibu drew a proper save from Diarra while Maema could not put his headed effort on target.
Yanga emerged as winners over Simba again in what should prove to be a major confidence booster for the Wananachi, in a game where they had to dig deep and win.
Simba, on the other hand, will have to recollect themselves as soon as possible, as there is a lot to fight for in their promising project.
