SIMBA SC opened a three points lead at the top of the Mainland Premier League, holders Young Africans moved second following their yesterday wins in Dar es Salam and Shinyanga respectively.
Simba beat Azam FC 1-0 at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam and they are now at the top of the league with 13 points, while Yanga beat Mwadui FC 2-0 at the Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga to move second on the log with ten points.
At the Uhuru Stadium, Simba’s slippery left footer winger Shiza Kichuya was the hero of the day for his club after his stunner inflicted first defeat on Spaniard tactician Zeben Hernandez. It also gave Simba’s Cameroonian Coach, Joseph Omog bragging rights against his former employers.
Omog parted ways with ‘ice cream makers’ side in 2013. Prior to the game, Simba and Azam tied at the top of the league with ten points each, some goal difference, same number of goals scored and same number of goal conceded from four matches each and the game was meant to separate the two.
It was a slow start for both sides with the game mostly played in the midfield and the two goalkeepers had no much work to do in the first few opening minutes but as the game progressed, it turned up to be a seesaw affair, with the ball swinging from one end to the other.
Still, much of the ball was played in the midfield and the few attacks created for both side were either cleared by defenders or goalkeepers made the saves. Good chance for Simba came in the 16th minute, when Kichuya dribbled the ball in the left wing before releasing a nice cross into the box to Ibrahim Ajib and the skilful striker took a sharp turn inside the box but his shot was cuddled by impressive goalkeeper, Aishi Manula.
In the 21st minute, Ya Thomas Renardo well calculated cross met Khamis Mcha in the box but unluckily his shot hit the woodwork and denied Azam the lead.
It was a lucky escape for Azam yet again in the 23rd minute, when Ajib found himself face to face with Manula and the brave goalie cleared the danger. Simba were on the upper gear now and five minutes later, Jamal Mnyate forced his way into the box but his shot could not hit the target.
Azam also came into the picture after half an hour mark, when skipper John Bocco’s stinging shot was parried off by goalie Vincent Angban, only for Novatus Lufunga to rush in and clear the danger. Burundian striker, Laudit Mavugo almost put Simba ahead two minutes to the breather, when he rose above defenders but his header was timely saved by Manula as the game rolled to half time. Both sides started the second half cautiously with no meaningful attempt to score.
Concentration remained in the midfield, where both teams boast of gifted players. With time clocking down, Coach Omog called off Mnyate and introduced midfielder, Said Ndemla in the 64th minute.
Immediately after Ndemla’s introduction, Simba took control of the midfield no wonder they scored in the 67th minute, when Kichuya’s long range low shot which sailed direct into back of the net in the left corner, leaving Manula diving in vain.
Azam Spaniard coach made a double change by bringing in Fransesco Zekumbirwa and Mudathir Yahya for Mcha and Frank Domayo in an attempt to rescue a point but the change was fruitless. In Shinyanga at the Kambarage Stadium Alexander Sanga reports that the league defending champions Yanga emerged with a 2-0 victory against Mwadui FC with its goals coming in both halves of the game.
Amis Tambwe opened the score only five minute into the game, connecting home Juma Abdul’s set piece to give his side the lead.
Donald Ngoma doubled the lead in the 90th minute after nodding home a high ball in the box from Haruna Niyonzima. Yanga dominated the match which they ought to win by a bigger margin but wasted several scoring chances in both halves. With the result Yanga are now on 10 points with a game in hand and have leapfrogged Azam into the second position. Azam drop to third place.
In other league matches held at the Sokoine Memorial Stadium in Mbeya, Tanzania Prisons and Mbeya City shared the spoils in the Mbeya derby after finishing their clash in a barren draw. Mtibwa Sugar defeated Kagera Sugar 2-0 at Manungu Stadium, Turiani in Morogoro, whereas Majimaji lost its fifth consecutive league game after going down 2-1 at the hands of Ndanda FC at the Majimaji Stadium in Songea.
Majimaji remain glued at the bottom of the league without a point after five games. The league continues today with only one game between Stand United and JKT Ruvu at the Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga.
The match between African Lyon and Toto Africans which was scheduled to take place at the Uhuru Stadium has been push forward to Tuesday next week.
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