Dar es Salaam. Young Africans SC (Yanga) head coach, Romain Folz, has declared that his team is ready for the opening match of the new Mainland Premier League season against Simba SC on Tuesday, September 16, even though he believes there is still room to strengthen certain areas of the squad.
Folz made the remarks while speaking to The BizLens shortly after Yanga secured a 1-0 victory over Bandari FC of Kenya in a friendly match played on Friday during the climax of the Wiki ya Mwananchi celebrations.
He expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall preparations and urged fans to continue offering their unwavering support.
“We played with determination, and I tried to give minutes to all the players so that the fans could watch them,” Folz said.
“There is still plenty of work to be done, but overall, it’s not bad. We have room to improve before the big match ahead of us.”
On preparations for the derby against Simba, the coach added:
“It’s a big game. If we go into all the details, we could talk until tomorrow. But let me just say that we are preparing well and we believe we have a good chance of winning.”
Folz further noted that the clash with Simba will be a perfect test for his side, which has been strengthened during the pre-season.
He promised fans an entertaining match given the quality of both teams.
“Simba are strong opponents, but we are also a good team,” Folz emphasized.
“We will do everything possible to secure the win. It will be a thrilling game, and I am sure the fans will enjoy it.”
The French tactician also praised Yanga fans for their massive support during the friendly match, expressing hope they will once again turn out in large numbers for the derby.
“We are very happy to have our fans with us,” Folz said.
“We are proud to see them backing us all the time, and we invite even more to come for the Simba match. You are the ones who give us the strength to fight.”
The Tuesday derby will mark the official kickoff of the new Premier League season, and fans across the country are already viewing it as a true test of who will set the tone between the two Tanzanian giants.
Defending champions Yanga head into the encounter with memories of four consecutive successful seasons, while rivals Simba are determined to bounce back and restore their glory.
According to Folz, the team’s chemistry has significantly improved through the pre-season friendlies, something he believes will be a key weapon in the derby.
In their last five competitive meetings, Yanga boasts a 100 percent record against Simba, winning all of them with an average of two goals scored per game.
