The epic battle of goalkeepers |

DAR ES SALAAM: Sunday’s Kariakoo Derby is a battle of supremacy between the sticks: Simba’s Aishi Manula versus Djigui Diara of Yanga.

Anyone would be forgiven to think one of the two is the best goalkeeper in the Tanzanian topflight.

And there’s no better game to show who the best is than the biggest club contest in East Africa.

Interestingly, the two teams go into the crunch tie on the back of four wins and one draw. They have both scored 11 goals and are only separated by conceded goals.

That makes Sunday’s contest interesting. It could balance the equation and see whoever wins open a three-point gap on their rival.

Yanga have let in four goals while Simba have only conceded two. Of course, many factors including a solid defence come into play.

On paper, Simba look like they have a more compact unit at the back with Manula recording four clean sheets.

Diara has only managed one clean sheet. The four goals let in by Yanga came off three matches. Simba’s defence was only breached by KMC this season.

Salum Pelembo, a sports analyst at Magic FM and Channel 10, shares his view. “Aishi has adversely shown his greatness through the league as one of the most experienced goalies. But also, he has showcased his abilities on an international stage through Simba’s recent participation in the CAF interclub competitions. He holds a record of winning the best goalie award for four consecutive seasons until Djigui Diara’s arrival last season.”

On the other hand, the Mali international, Diara, has kept four clean sheets in the five derby games.

He also challenged Manula in the best goalie award last season. He won it for the first time after four years of dominance.

These two great goalkeepers can decide the Kariakoo derby. The cherry on top with Diara is his great ability to play as a sweeper. He can help his defenders in building up.

Aishi has been better at making saves. But who is going to carry the day for his team on Sunday? It’s worth watching this epic battle!