Simba coach Davids stresses mental strength ahead of crunch Yanga showdown on Saturday
Simba SC's head coach, Fadlu Davids, is focusing on the psychological aspect as his team prepares for the highly anticipated derby against Young Africans (Yanga) in the Tanzanian Premier League.
The two fierce rivals are currently vying for the top spot, with Yanga leading the table on 58 points, while Simba sit in second with 54 points, although they have a game in hand.
Ahead of Saturday's crunch fixture, Davids emphasised the importance of mental strength and composure, recognising the immense pressure that comes with such a high-stakes encounter.
'Most of the time, it's about the psychological aspect and which players are able to handle the pressure,' said the coach. 'We need players who thrive under this kind of pressure, who can rise to the occasion when it matters most."
Davids warned against letting emotions dictate the game.
'It's important that we don't let our emotions get the better of us. This isn't a match where we should let it become a transition game, going back and forth from one side of the pitch to the other. We need mental stability, especially in moments when we are on top and when they have the upper hand."
For Davids, it's all about focus. 'Players must think about their task: what do they have to do with the ball and without the ball? That is the easiest way for our players to remain calm and execute the task at hand,' he continued. "They cannot be distracted by the crowd, the referee, or the pressure of the occasion.'
While the derby is undoubtedly a crucial match in the race for the league title, Davids also took time to zoom out and consider the broader picture of their continental ambitions.
'We are involved in three competitions, and the CAF Confederations Cup is very important to us. We have the cup, and the league is always our priority, but we must balance our approach in all areas,' he explained.
The match will take place at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, and both teams will be keen to gain the upper hand in what is shaping up to be a pivotal encounter in the league.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
4 days ago
- CAF
CAF concludes two-day Senior Supervisors Commanders' workshop in Nairobi ahead of TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024
Dr. Christian Emeruwa, the Head of CAF's Safety and Security department is confident that the East African region is well on course ahead of its first ever joint major tournament, the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) set for August. Dr. Emeruwa says he is impressed with the caliber of the security workforce and the zeal to work exhibited by personnel from all the host countries, after conducting the last of three workshops for senior supervisors in Nairobi on Friday. 'In terms of personnel, what we have seen is impressive and commendable. We are happy with the people we have trained. They have been very positive and receptive in terms of the training and we are confident that we have the right people. But, we still have some way to go in terms of getting enough material for the personnel to work,' Dr Emeruwa said. He conducted the first workshop in Tanzania, culminating with practical work at the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final between Simba SC and RS Berkane in Zanzibar before heading to Uganda. He then conducted the workshop in Nairobi, bringing together 40 senior security personnel from the National Police Service as well as officials from both the Ministry of Sports and Interior Coordination. 'For us it is very important to get all the security stakeholders in a room and expose them to the CAF way of doing things. We are not here to teach them how to police the country. Football has its own security requirements and programs which are not openly available to the conventional police,' Dr Christian said. He added; 'We needed to expose them to this kind of training and also let them know what is coming to them. CHAN is the second biggest tournament in CAF; it is not just a once-off game. We have tried to show them what has happened in other countries, and for a country well connected from the borders we expect quite a lot of people coming in for this tournament.' The two-day workshop culminated in a practical session at the Nyayo National Stadium, one of the principal host stadia of the tournament. They were taken through various crowd control measures, including managing entry of spectators and manning ticket verification points. 'This was a brilliant platform for us to get rolling in terms of helping our security personnel understand how football security operations are done. It is very different from the normal day to day job of the police and there have been massive benefits from this training by CAF. Locally we have endeavored to train as many police officers as possible to ensure that we have a very safe CHAN in August,' said Austin Oduor, CAF's National Safety and Security Officer, Kenya. The TotalEnergies CAF CHAN is scheduled for August, and this will be the first time three countries will be co-hosting the tournament specially tailor-made for locally-based players.
CAF
4 days ago
- CAF
Merveille Kanjinga, the Congolese prodigy on a mission in Morocco
Revealed during the last CAF Women's Champions League—won with TP Mazembe—the young striker took off for Paris Saint-Germain, where she continues her rise At 22, she has become a symbol of hope for an entire nation, embodying the rebirth of women's football in the Democratic Republic of Congo Back in Morocco, the land of her continental triumph, she is preparing to compete in her first TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, aiming to lead DR Congo to the top This is not just a transfer—it's a leap into orbit. Signed by Paris Saint-Germain on the eve of her 22nd birthday, Merveille Kanjinga saw her childhood dream come true. 'It was my dream since I was a little girl. When I heard that Paris Saint-Germain wanted me, I was very, very happy. I could hardly believe my ears,' she says, still emotional at the memory of the announcement. Her arrival in the French capital is like something out of a fairy tale. But it is no accident. Paris noticed her because she shone brightly during the last CAF Women's Champions League—a tournament she dominated with TP Mazembe, culminating in victory in Morocco. This continental title, the first in the Congolese club's history, fast-tracked her career. 'There are so many good memories. We had a great team, very good teammates. It was an unforgettable moment.' A national pride, a continental symbol Her transfer didn't just bring joy to the French club. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the news was celebrated as a collective victory. In just a few months, Kanjinga has become the face of a rapidly evolving women's football scene. 'Yes, I realize what it means. People were very happy when they heard the news. I know they love it, and I do too.' On a continent where opportunities for women players are often scarce, her journey inspires admiration and hope. A child of Lubumbashi, she is now a source of inspiration for thousands of young girls. 'Believe in yourself, no matter where you come from. What matters is what you show on the pitch,' she says, aware of her powerful image. Return to Morocco, where it all began Fate has its winks, and for Kanjinga, it brings her back to Morocco—where everything changed for her, where she won the greatest title of her career. But this time, she returns wearing her national colors to compete in the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations. DR Congo finds itself in a tough Group A, alongside Zambia, Senegal, and host nation Morocco. 'I know it'll be tough, but we're going to give it everything, fight to the end. It's a game, and the best will win,' she says calmly but firmly. No boastfulness—just an unshakable belief in effort and the team. Though it will be her first WAFCON, Merveille is no longer a rookie. PSG and the Women's Champions League have hardened her. She doesn't shy away from the responsibilities awaiting her in the national squad. 'Yes, I see myself as an experienced player,' she says—a statement that speaks volumes about the maturity of this young striker, aware of her role as a driving force in a team seeking renewal. Legacy and role models When asked about the figures who inspire her within the Congolese squad, she answers quickly: 'Isabelle Diakiese is one of the most professional players I know.' A natural nod to those who came before her and held things together, passing down the culture. Kanjinga hasn't forgotten where she came from. She knows that a solid group, united around proven leaders, can disrupt the established order. This coming July could be a landmark. For her, of course, as she prepares for her first TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON—but also for Congolese women's football, which has been chasing results in the competition since winning bronze in 1998. Through Merveille Kanjinga, an entire nation dares to believe in a revival. And if Morocco was the place of her club breakthrough, it could now become the site of her national team crowning.
CAF
6 days ago
- CAF
CAF concludes two-day Senior Supervisors Commanders' workshop in Nairobi ahead of CHAN
Dr. Christian Emeruwa, the Head of CAF's Safety and Security department is confident that the East African region is well on course ahead of its first ever joint major tournament, the 2024 TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) set for August. Dr. Emeruwa says he is impressed with the caliber of the security workforce and the zeal to work exhibited by personnel from all the host countries, after conducting the last of three workshops for senior supervisors in Nairobi on Friday. 'In terms of personnel, what we have seen is impressive and commendable. We are happy with the people we have trained. They have been very positive and receptive in terms of the training and we are confident that we have the right people. But, we still have some way to go in terms of getting enough material for the personnel to work,' Dr Emeruwa said. He conducted the first workshop in Tanzania, culminating with practical work at the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final between Simba SC and RS Berkane in Zanzibar before heading to Uganda. He then conducted the workshop in Nairobi, bringing together 40 senior security personnel from the National Police Service as well as officials from both the Ministry of Sports and Interior Coordination. 'For us it is very important to get all the security stakeholders in a room and expose them to the CAF way of doing things. We are not here to teach them how to police the country. Football has its own security requirements and programs which are not openly available to the conventional police,' Dr Christian said. He added; 'We needed to expose them to this kind of training and also let them know what is coming to them. CHAN is the second biggest tournament in CAF; it is not just a one-off game. We have tried to show them what has happened in other countries, and for a country well connected from the borders we expect quite a lot of people coming in for this tournament.' The two-day workshop culminated in a practical session at the Nyayo National Stadium, one of the principal host stadia of the tournament. They were taken through various crowd control measures, including managing entry of spectators and manning ticket verification points. 'This was a brilliant platform for us to get rolling in terms of helping our security personnel understand how football security operations are done. It is very different from the normal day to day job of the police and there have been massive benefits from this training by CAF. Locally we have endeavored to train as many police officers as possible to ensure that we have a very safe CHAN in August,' said Austin Oduor, CAF's National Safety and Security Officer, Kenya. The 2024 TotalEnergies CHAN is scheduled for August, and this will be the first time three countries will be co-hosting the tournament specially tailor-made for locally-based players.
