Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) head coach Manqoba Mngqithi faces a welcome selection headache ahead of the October 10 Kariakoo Derby against traditional rivals Simba at Uhuru Stadium, with Clement Mzize back to full fitness and competing for places in an increasingly crowded attacking department.
Mzize’s return has given Mngqithi another important option in a frontline that already includes Peter Shalulile, Cheick Ibrahima Touré and Seleman Mwalimu.
The Tanzania international returned to competitive action on September 15, coming on in the 65th minute for Mwalimu during Yanga’s 1-0 Mainland Premier League victory over Geita Gold at KMC Complex. It was his first league appearance for Yanga since June 25, 2025, when he scored in a 2-0 victory over Simba.
He subsequently missed the 2025/26 league campaign after suffering a knee injury that required surgery. His return is significant because Mzize was one of Yanga’s most productive attackers before his injury, scoring 14 league goals during the 2024/25 season. Mngqithi now has the option of using that proven scoring ability without necessarily playing Mzize as a traditional centre forward.
The 22-year-old can operate from either flank, giving the coach another tactical solution for the derby. He can start centrally when Yanga need his movement and finishing, or be deployed on the right or left to exploit space behind Simba’s fullbacks.
That versatility could prove particularly useful against Simba, where changing the point of attack may be as important as having a recognised striker in the box. Mzize could, for example, start from one flank with Shalulile leading the attack, allowing Yanga to maintain a two-pronged threat while giving the Tanzania international freedom to move inside. Alternatively, he could provide an attacking option from the bench when Mngqithi wants to increase the tempo in the second half.
Shalulile remains one of the coach’s principal attacking references. The Namibian has already shown his ability to influence important matches, scoring against Gaborone United in the Champions League and registering two league goals this season.
His movement, experience and ability to occupy defenders make him a natural option for the derby, particularly if Yanga want a striker capable of stretching Simba’s defensive line.
Touré provides another dimension. The Senegalese forward has also scored in the league and Champions League, offering physical presence, aerial ability and the capacity to hold the ball up when Yanga play directly.
Mwalimu, meanwhile, provides competition through his movement and work rate. His importance was underlined in the Champions League tie against Gaborone United, when he supplied the assist for Shalulile’s goal before scoring Yanga’s stoppage-time equaliser in the first leg in Botswana.
The competition is therefore not simply about who scores the most goals. Mngqithi must consider movement, pressing, physical presence, positional flexibility and how each player fits into the attacking structure.
Yanga’s 16 goals in their opening six league matches also underline the importance of having different sources of danger rather than relying exclusively on one striker.
The Mzize return therefore gives Mngqithi several combinations to consider. He can use Shalulile as the central reference, pair him with Touré or Mwalimu, or introduce Mzize from either flank to stretch Simba’s defence.
For a coach preparing for one of Tanzania’s most demanding fixtures, that depth could become a tactical advantage as the derby approaches.