Golden Boot race heats up ahead of derby title decider

Dar es Salaam. As preparations reach a boiling point ahead of the final and decisive match of the Mainland Tanzania Premier League between traditional rivals Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba SC, the race for this season’s Golden Boot is also grabbing headlines and keeping football stakeholders on edge.

The much-anticipated encounter is scheduled to take place tomorrow from 5pm at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium from 5pm, where the league winner will be officially crowned.

Currently, Yanga lead the standings with 79 points from 29 matches, while Simba trail closely with 78 points from the same number of games.

The scenario sets the stage for a high-stakes finale: Yanga require only a draw to clinch the title for a fourth consecutive season, while Simba must secure a win to reclaim the championship after a three-year drought.

However, beyond the title race, another thrilling subplot is unfolding — the battle for the Golden Boot, which has intensified among five prolific forwards, three from Simba and two from Yanga.

At present, Simba’s Ivorian striker Jean Ahoua leads the scoring chart with 16 goals.

His teammates, Leonel Ateba and Steven Mukwala, are also in strong contention with 13 goals apiece. From the Yanga camp, forwards Clement Mzize and Prince Dube are equally tied at 13 goals each.

The final match not only promises drama over the title but could also prove decisive in determining the league's top scorer, adding another layer of excitement for fans and stakeholders alike.

Yanga head coach Miloud Hamdi has stressed that the team’s main focus remains on securing the title, although he recognises the importance of individual accolades.

“Our main determination is to win the title. And to achieve that, we must win the match,” said Hamdi.

“We are preparing with full focus. Everything else will follow after the job is done.” On the other side, Simba head coach Fadlu Davids remains optimistic about his team’s chances, emphasising the progress they’ve made since last season.

“We have one match to go. When I joined the team, Simba had just lost 5-1 to Yanga and were struggling for a second-place finish last season. 
Now, we are one game away from possibly winning the title,” said Davids after their recent victory over Kagera Sugar. 

With both the title and Golden Boot on the line, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that could go down as one of the most memorable fixtures in Tanzanian football history.
 

A combination photo of Yanga’s Prince Dube  left), Clement Mzize (centre), and Simba’s Jean Ahoua (right). The three, along with Simba’s Steven Mukwala and Leonel Ateba, are in contention for the Golden Boot in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League. PHOTO | COURTESY