Dar es Salaam. The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam will be ablaze on Saturday (today) evening as Tanzanian champions Yanga SC host DR Congo’s TP Mazembe in a crucial Group A clash of the CAF Champions League.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Tanzanian football fans will turn their eyes to Tunisia, where Simba SC will face CS Sfaxien in a CAF Confederation Cup Group A tie at the Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium in Rades.
Both games carry immense significance as the two Tanzanian clubs battle to stay in contention for continental glory.
Yanga VS TP Mazembe: A must-win clash
Yanga SC find themselves in a precarious position in Group A, sitting at the bottom with just one point from three matches.
TP Mazembe, with two points, occupy third place, making this encounter a battle for survival.
Both teams aim to use this match as a stepping stone toward the knockout stage, with group leaders Al Hilal (9 points) and MC Alger (4 points) holding the upper hand in the standings.
Yanga’s lone point came from their hard-fought 1-1 draw in Lubumbashi against Mazembe in the reverse fixture.
In that game, Yanga dominated possession (56.6%) and registered 18 shots, five on target, compared to Mazembe’s 12 shots with only two on target.
Despite the dominance, Yanga had to settle for a draw, leaving them with no room for error in the return leg.
Team news
Yanga’s head coach, Sead Ramovic, has revitalized his squad since their slow start in the group stage.
The Tanzanian champions have been in scintillating form domestically, scoring 16 goals in their last four league matches while conceding only two.
Striker Clement Mzize and playmaker Stephane Aziz Ki will be pivotal in unlocking Mazembe’s defense, while defenders Dickson Job and Ibrahim Bacca will lead the backline.
Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who missed recent games due to injury, might return to action, boosting Yanga’s chances.
Mazembe, on the other hand, have struggled to replicate their former continental dominance.
Their assistant coach Pamphil Mihayo recently admitted that they face a much-improved Yanga compared to the first-leg clash.
Mazembe’s key players, including Zemanga Soze, Merceil Ngimbi Vundi, and Cheick Fofana, will need to be at their best to stop Yanga’s free-scoring attack.
Tactics and strategies
Yanga will likely deploy an aggressive 4-3-3 formation, focusing on ball control and exploiting Mazembe’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Their “Gusa Achia Twende Kwao” (Touch and Go) philosophy emphasizes quick transitions, which has proven effective in domestic competitions.
Meanwhile, Mazembe will rely on a compact defensive structure and counterattacks to exploit spaces left by Yanga’s high press.
The stakes are high, as a win for Yanga would take them to four points, moving them above Mazembe in the standings and keeping their quarterfinal hopes alive.
However, a loss would virtually end their campaign, piling pressure on coach Ramovic and his players.
Key players to watch
Yanga SC: Pacôme Zouzoua, Stephane Aziz Ki, Clement Mzize and Prince Dube.
TP Mazembe: Cheick Fofana, Zemanga Soze, and Merceil Ngimbi Vundi
Simba vs CS Sfaxien: An opportunity for dominance
Simba SC travel to Tunisia brimming with confidence after their dramatic 2-1 home victory over Sfaxien in their last group match.
The Tanzanian giants are tied with CS Constantine at the top of Group A, each with six points, while Sfaxien sit at the bottom with no points from three games.
This match will be played behind closed doors as part of CAF’s punishment for Sfaxien following fan violence during their opening group-stage loss to CS Constantine.
This decision could favor Simba, who have historically struggled with hostile away crowds.
Team news
Simba’s coach, Fadlu Davids, will have a full squad at his disposal, including newly-registered Elie Mpanzu.
Striker Kibu Denis, who scored both goals in the first-leg victory, will lead Simba’s attack, supported by playmaker Charles Jean Ahoua and wingers Joshua Mutale and Denis Kibu.
Moussa Camara, Simba’s first-choice goalkeeper, has vowed to secure a clean sheet to enhance their chances of progressing to the quarterfinals.
Sfaxien, on the other hand, face an uphill battle.
Without their passionate supporters, the Tunisian side will rely heavily on Hazem Haj Hassen, who scored in the first leg, and their defensive setup to contain Simba’s potent attack.
Tactics and strategies
Simba will likely stick to their tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on high pressing and quick counterattacks.
Fadlu Davids recently emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Sfaxien, aware of their precarious position, may adopt a more conservative approach, aiming to frustrate Simba and capitalize on set-pieces.
A victory for Simba would put them in a commanding position to qualify for the quarterfinals in the international tournaments for the sixth time in seven seasons.
However, a slip-up could complicate their campaign, with Bravo and Constantine closely monitoring their progress.
Key players to watch
Simba SC: Kibu Denis, Charles Jean Ahoua and Ellie Mpanzu.
CS Sfaxien: Hazem Haj Hassen and Montassar Louhichi.
