SIMBA head coach Fadlu Davids attributed his team’s 1-0 loss to arch-rivals Young Africans on Saturday to their inexperience, as a late own goal sealed a bitter defeat in the Dar es Salaam Derby at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Simba started the match with great intensity, pressing high and creating early chances. One such opportunity came when Lionel Ateba found himself one-on-one with Young Africans goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, but he was unable to convert, firing straight into Diarra’s hands. Despite their dominance in the first half, Simba failed to capitalize on their chances.

As the match wore on, Young Africans began to take control, and a few minutes from stoppage time, Simba’s defensive misfortune led to an own goal by Kelvin Kijili, gifting their rivals a narrow victory.

Speaking after the match, a visibly disappointed Davids praised his team’s progress but pointed to their lack of experience as the crucial difference between Simba and a more seasoned Young Africans side that has been together for three years.

“When we started the game, we had Ateba one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and even the rebound was saved. We were really on top, creating good moments,” Davids said. “There was another situation where Kibu was through, and on a slippery surface, there was contact in the box. I need to see the replays, but these were key moments. We were constantly getting their defenders booked, but we couldn’t take advantage.”

Davids highlighted that managing crucial moments and emotions in big matches is something his team is still learning to do.

“These are the moments where teams at this level manage their emotions and control the game, both with and without the ball. This is something we need to improve, but I believe we will get better,” he added. “We are 15 weeks into this project, and now we know where we lack. The difference between Young Africans and Simba is experience.”

Reflecting on the decisive moment, Davids expressed his frustration with the own goal.

“The ball from the free kick was going out, and if Camara had left it, it would have been a goal kick. But conceding an own goal in such a way is very disappointing. It’s hard to take when a match that was so evenly contested ends like that,” he said.

Despite the loss, Davids believes Simba showed they can compete at the highest level, and the team will learn from this experience as they continue their development.