Steve Barker’s Simba registered their first win over arch rivals Young Africans in three years when they won Saturday’s Dar-es-Salaam derby 2-1 against Manqoba Mngqithi’s team.
Victory in the Karikoo derby put Simba three points clear at the top of the table with a 100 per cent record after seven games as they came from behind to win the game.
Former Premier Soccer League goal ace Peter Shalulile had Yanga in the lead but his former Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Neo Maema equalised for Simba before Elie Mpanzu got the winner.
Yanga had the perfect start when the Namibian goal ace netted after five minutes keeping up his sensational form since he moved from Sundowns to Tanzania.
But Simba gradually worked their way into the game and looked the better of the two sides by the time Maema equalised after an assist from Libasse Gueye, the Seneghelse midfielder.
Mpanzu secured the winner four minutes later after an impressive dribble to send Simba fans into raptures.
Barker’s team now turn their focus to trying to qualify for the group phase of the African Champions League where they are up against 15 de Agosto of Equatorial Guinea in their second round tie.
Barker had previous success against 15 de Agosto in the African Confederation Cup when he was in charge at Stellenbosch.
Mngqithi’s Yanga must pick themselves up for their Champions League second round, first leg tie this weekend against Madagascar’s Centre de Formation de Football Andoharanofotsy.