Yanga organise comedy festival to laugh at Simba for Champions League exit

The rivalry between Tanzanian giants Yanga and Simba has been taken a notch higher after the former orgainsed a comedy event to laugh at the latter for failing to make it to the CAF Champions League semi-final.

Yanga sealed their ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final following a 2-0 aggregate win against Rivers United of Nigeria to achieve the historic feat, a day after bitter rivals Simba were eliminated from Africa’s premier club competition on post-match penalties by holders Wydad Casablanca.

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With the contrasting fortunes, fans of the two teams have been throwing barbs at each other and Yanga are set to take it a notch higher after ogranising the Wananchi Comedy Festival, an event aimed at laughing at Simba.

The Tanzanian giants have gone as far as bringing on board the best standup comedians in the country, showing just how deep the rivalry runs between the Dar es Salaam-based sides.

“Since Tanzania gained independence in 1961, it will be the first time that standup comedy gets into football,” said comedian Coy Mzungu, one of those who will grace the unusual event.

“We are doing it because of a historic win not a just any other victory. The comedy festival is here to remind you that what happened (Yanga reaching the semis) is not usual and that is why it needed experts to laugh at people (Simba).”

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“We would easily have told our fans to laugh at our neighbours but we needed experts to laugh at them. We make people laugh regularly but when there is a special mission, we equip ourselves 100 times better. Just like Yanga did a good job, they need the best comedians to laugh at those who did not qualify.”

Yanga are set to face South African side Marumo Gallants in the two-leg semi-final this month with the first leg taking place in Dar es Salaam on May 14.

The two teams are also engaged in a title battle, with Yanga holding a five-point lead over Simba, with three matches to go although Wekundu wa Msimbazi secured the Kariakoo Derby bragging rights following a 2-0 league win last month.