Yanga tactics revealed ahead of derby

Zanzibar. Simba have not beaten their traditional foes Young Africans in the Mainland Premier League match since 2015.

They last hit the Jangwani Street team on February 28, 2015 in a tense derby at the 60,000-seater National Stadium, courtesy of a superb strike by their Ugandan striker Emmanuel Okwi.

As Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash draws closer, Zambian forward Juma Luzio has revealed George Lwandamina’s tactics Simba should work on to win the anxiously awaited clash.

Luzio, who played under Lwandamina for three years during his reign at Zambia’s Zesco United, has disclosed just how he prepares his players ahead of a crucial match.

Lwandamina prefers to field a 4-2-3-1, turning into a 4-3-3 in attack, according Luzio.

“Yanga’s 4-2-3-1 system is designed to allow them to dominate possession in the opposition half,” he said.

“But often ends up with various forwards passing sideways to each other, unable to open up chances when up against a solid defence,” he added.

According to him, the Zambian coach’s philosophy is based around the three Ps - play, possession and position, which relates to the continual movement of the ball and retention of it.

He said Yanga’s 4-2-3-1 system is designed to allow them to dominate possession and, when under pressure, they resort to long passes relying on wingers for goals.

The striker also featured for Mtibwa Sugar before joining Simba during a mini-registration window.

“We just need to sit back and soak up the pressure like we did during the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar, and make sure their wingers are tightly marked throughout the game,” he said.

Simba have been camping in Zanzibar since last week under the tutelage of Cameroonian coach Joseph Omog.

Yanga, on the other hand, have been undergoing residential training in Kimbiji, Kigamboni on the outskirts of the city since early this week

The Msimbazi Reds sit at the summit of the league with 51 points, two ahead of their nearest challengers Yanga.