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The Wekundu wa Msimbazi tactician has insisted that he will field the same line up as he seeks consistency
Joash Onyango is set to play a key role for Simba during their Kariakoo Derby clash against bitter rivals Yanga in the Tanzania Premier League on Sunday.
Simba coach Roberto Oliveira, popularly known as Robertinho, has insisted that he will field the same lineup against the ‘old enemy’ as he seeks to ensure his side maintains their consistency.
That means Onyango is in line for a role at the heart of defense, alongside Congolese Henock Baka, having been selected consistently this season.
“It is very important to play together, to repeat the same formation, same team,” said Robertinho at Saturday’s pre-match press conference in Dar es Salaam.
“This match is not a surprise for me. I’m used to playing in such atmospheres during my generation at the Maracana Stadium with Fluminense against Flamengo,” added the Brazilian tactician.
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16:21 - 01.04.2023
FOOTBALL In hot soup! Simba fans fry Harambee Stars defender Joash Onyango
The defender found himself on the receiving end of criticism following Friday’s disappointing performance.
“It’s very important for me to look at the key players in my group. Now I have my strikers, nice moment for us. Shabalala (Mohamed Hussein) and Kapombe (Shomari) who have been with the national team and for me, they are the best right and left backs in Tanzania.
“We speak well with the players and my technical bench and we have built one family because consistency in performances and results is important and if we give our maximum like in our previous match, we will win.”
Onyango has been under scrutiny since Simba’s 3-1 loss to Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League when his two mistakes helped the Moroccan side to victory in their final group match on April 1.
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08:00 - 06.04.2023
CAF CL Joash Onyango's Simba to face Wydad Casablanca in quarterfinals
The Msimbazi Reds will start the tie at home against Moroccan giants.
A section of Simba fans even went as far as calling for his exclusion from the team in subsequent matches but Robertinho has kept faith with the Harambee Stars defender, fielding him in Monday’s 2-0 league win away to Ihefu.
Onyango and co, however, have a tough task against Yanga who are top of the table, with an eight-point lead over Simba, and will have to contain Burkina Faso international Aziz Ki, who scored a hat-trick and provided an assist, as they thrashed Kagera Sugar 5-0 on Tuesday.
Yanga are in pole position to retain their title as they sit at the summit with 68 points from 25 matches, with Simba on 60, but Wekundu wa Msimbazi’s hierarchy have called on the players to ensure they retain their pride given they are the home team.
16:05 - 07.04.2023
FOOTBALL Joash Onyango’s Simba coach reveals what gives him confidence of thrashing Wydad Casablanca
Simba face Wydad Casablanca on Friday 21 April in the CAF Champions League quarters.
The champions have a slight advantage in the Kariakoo derby, having claimed 22 wins to Simba’s 18 down the years, while there have been eight draws, including this season, when they played out a 1-1 stalemate last October.
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