Azam face Simba in another Mzizima derby showdown

Dar es Salaam. The Mzizima Derby returns tomorrow, September 16, 2026  when Azam host Simba in a Mainland Premier League clash at the Azam Complex, with both sides looking to strengthen their early season campaigns.

The encounter brings together last season’s second and third placed teams and promises another competitive chapter in a rivalry that dates back to 2008.

The teams last met in the CRDB Federation Cup final at Gombani Stadium in Pemba on July 4, when Simba edged Azam 1-0 to lift the trophy.

Simba head into match with a perfect league record, having won all five of their opening matches, while Azam will draw confidence from their impressive home record.

The overall league head to head record favours Simba. In 36 meetings, Simba have won 15 matches, Azam seven, while 14 have ended in draws. Simba have scored 48 goals against Azam’s 33.

The figures, however, also underline how closely contested the fixture has been, with almost four out of every 10 meetings ending without a winner.

Five of the 14 draws have been goalless, coming in the 2011/12, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2025/26 seasons.

The rivalry has also produced high scoring encounters, with the highest scoring matches ending 3-2. Azam won the first 3-2 on January 23, 2011, while Simba claimed the same scoreline on March 4, 2020.

Simba’s biggest victory in the fixture is 3-0, achieved twice. They first recorded the scoreline away in March 2009 before repeating it at Azam Complex in May 2024.

Azam’s biggest win over Simba is 2-0, also achieved twice. Their first came in the teams’ inaugural meeting in October 2008, when they won away, while the second was recorded in December 2025.

Home advantage has not always worked in Azam’s favour against Simba. In 18 league meetings hosted by Azam, the hosts have won only twice, while Simba have claimed eight victories.

Azam’s last home defeat in the league came against Yanga on April 10, 2025. Since then, they have gone 20 home matches unbeaten, winning 14 and drawing three, including 0-0 results against Simba, Yanga and Fountain Gate.

The teams produced contrasting results in their two league meetings last season. Azam won 2-0 when Simba hosted them in December 2025, before the return match at Azam Complex ended 0-0 in April this year.

Simba will therefore seek to build on their strong start and recent 1-0 cup final victory, while Azam will rely on their home strength to stop the visitors’ winning run.

On the numbers, Simba have the advantage, but the 14 draws between the sides provide a reminder that history alone may not settle another closely fought Mzizima Derby.