Much will be said, but at the end of the day, Yanga supporters must accept that Simba were far superior in almost every department, showing greater desire to win the match than their opponents.
Yanga head coach Manqoba Mngqithi could face criticism because he was the one who selected the starting eleven tasked with fighting for the club in a match they ultimately lost 2-1.
However, even a brief assessment suggests that Yanga were outplayed not only tactically but also in terms of the players' physical fitness.
The match statistics indicate that Yanga covered less ground than Simba. For the first time this season, Yanga recorded less than 40 per cent possession, marking their first performance at such a low level of ball control this campaign.
Across the full 90 minutes, Yanga managed just two shots on target, compared with six for Simba. Yanga created only three big chances, while Simba created 14.
In the second half, Yanga's players appeared increasingly fatigued and were forced to spend long periods defending. Even when they managed to move the ball forward, they struggled to maintain possession.
It is worth remembering that 10 Yanga players had been away on international duty, with some returning just two days before the match.
That cannot be the only explanation for Yanga's poor showing, but it is clear that some players were tired, which may have prevented them from performing at 100 per cent.
The issue is not simply that Yanga lost today. It is clear that the team failed to reach its best competitive level, and this may be where the club's management and technical bench need to begin their assessment.
