Defending champions JKT Queens will face Simba Queens in the final of the Women’s Community Shield tomorrow as both sides target the first major trophy of the season.
The final will be played at KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam, with both teams confident after completing preparations for what is expected to be a competitive encounter.
Simba Queens head coach Mussa Hassan Mgosi said his team was ready to fight for the title and would seek to exploit weaknesses in the JKT Queens defence.
“We have prepared well to win the trophy. We will use our opponents’ weaknesses to secure victory,” Mgosi said.
He added that some players who missed the semi-final through injury would not feature in the final until they had fully recovered.
Speaking on behalf of her teammates, Simba Queens player Fatma Issa said the players would follow instructions from the technical bench and were determined to lift the trophy.
“The match will be difficult. We have worked on the mistakes we made in the previous game to ensure they are not repeated,” she said.
JKT Queens coach Juma Kessy, meanwhile, said his players were in good condition and that selection would be based on the readiness of individual players.
“We have made sufficient preparations. We will deal with our opponents depending on how they approach the game,” Kessy said.
JKT Queens captain Anastazia Katunzi acknowledged the quality of Simba Queens but said her side was prepared for the challenge.
“We are playing against a big team and we respect them. We will follow the coach’s instructions to achieve what we need,” Katunzi said.
The match gives JKT Queens an opportunity to defend the title, while Simba Queens will be looking to end the competition as champions after reaching the final.
In the third-place play-off, Yanga Princess will face Mashujaa Queens, with both teams seeking a winning finish to the competition.
Yanga Princess assistant coach Said Maulid said the match would be difficult because both teams were motivated to secure victory.
“The match will be difficult because both teams need a win. From our side, everything is in place,” Maulid said.
Yanga Princess player Diana Mnally said the squad had prepared well and wanted a victory that would secure third place.
“As players, we have prepared well to ensure we perform strongly and finish as the third-placed team,” Diana said.
Mashujaa Queens head coach Rajabu Ally said reaching the final had been their main target, but they fell short after losing in the semi-final.
“Our goal was to play in the final, but it was not our day. I have worked on the mistakes I identified in the semi-final and improved both our defence and attack, which had shown weaknesses,” Ally said.
Mashujaa Queens player Maimuna Hamisi said the team had also made preparations aimed at producing a positive result in the third-place match.