Victorious Yanga opt for Pemba camp

They played first leg match of the continental club championship and won by a single goal over Cercle de Joachim last Saturday.

Yanga arrived in Zanzibar yesterday morning before heading to Pemba where they are expected to camp throughout the week to gear up for the Mainland premier soccer league high-profile derby against archrivals Simba.

The derby is scheduled to be played at the 60,000 capacity state of the art National Stadium on Saturday.

Yanga coach Hans van der Pluijm said there is no time to waste or rest as his players have started serious training to shape up for the derby.

The coach said Yanga are attentively focusing on the derby like nothing else as they have strong quest to retain the premiership title.

"Yes we are back, we have no time to waste and rest as our next league match is very important to win at all cost", said the coach briefly.

Pluijm said the victory in Mauritius has been a huge boost for his team as they arrived with full psychological advantage to face their archrivals, Simba.

"We did not play well, however, but that game has gone as we are now focusing on our next game. In soccer you always think of the next game regardless of what has happened in the past," said Pluijm.

In related development, Simba which took the premiership lead on Saturday after defeating Stand United of Shinyanga by 2-1 goals at the Kambarage Stadium, are in Morogoro to gear up for the derby.

Simba is leading the pack of the 16-team league with 45 points after more than three seasons in the doldrums.

Yanga are stuck at 42 points with a game in hand as other premiership contenders Azam had 42 points ahead of yesterday’s match against Tanga-based Coastal Union at the Mkwakwani Stadium.