AHMED Ally has admitted revenge is motivating Simba SC ahead of their derby against Young Africans SC since November's dramatic defeat.

Simba SC suffered their biggest derby defeat in the last 40 years when they collapsed in the second half to lose 5-1 to their long-time rivals, alias Yanga.

The game went into halftime tied at 1-1 thanks to a Dennis Kibu equalizer to cancel Kennedy Musonda’s opener for Yanga.

However, Gamondi’s men blew their opponents away with a remarkable second half that began with a goal from Maxi Nzengeli, who scored a brace in between a strike from Stephane Aziz Ki, with substitute Pacome Zouzoua adding a late fifth, as Yanga registered an emphatic derby win.

Ahead of the reverse fixture that has now been confirmed, Simba SC's Information and Communication Manager Ally says the club is itching to avenge the historic beating and the leg-pulling they suffered from Yanga when they take on their cross-town rivals again on April 20.

The official noted: "Preparations for the derby game have not started. It is a normal game like others, although it has its status and honour.”

“At the moment, the focus is on these two games against Mashujaa FC and Ihefu SC. If we win these games, we will create momentum towards the match on April 20," Ally pointed out.

The official said: "So before we start thinking about April 20, we must look at how you overcome these two hurdles here. If we win here, we build confidence, we attract our fans, and give confidence to fans and players towards April 20."

"The main focus here is on the April 9 and April 13 games. Let's finish with these and then look towards April 20. This time around we need to get a victory because we are determined to fight for the title and the only place that can keep our hope is in that game," Ally disclosed.

"Because if we manage to win against our direct rivals, it means we will be only one point behind in the league standings. We will find ways to clear that one-point gap."

"The important thing is to win. If you win, it means you have taken revenge, you have finished your opponent, everything comes into play right away," Ally insisted.

Simba SC finds itself seven points behind leaders Yanga as the league hits the two-third mark.

However, the 22-time Premier League champions have two games in hand over Yanga and second-placed Azam FC.