Simba throw title race open
UNDER pressure from its closest challengers, Simba stumbled again as Stand United pulled a major setback after dramatically forcing a 3-3 draw at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, yesterday.
Asante Kwasi, Laudit Mavugo and Nicholas Gyan scored a goal each but Tariq Seif, Aaron Lulambo and Bigirimana Blaise also netted a goal each as the Mainland Premier League leaders dropped crucial points in race for silverware. The result was a ‘bitter pill’ for Simba fans to swallow as their team failed to extend gap at the summit of the league table to eight.
However, they remained top of the log on 46 points from 20 matches, six ahead of closest challengers Young Africans, who have a game in hand. Simba couldn’t manage more than 3-3 against relegation-wary Stand United. At both ends of the table, this could be a significant draw for both teams, and for different reasons. Stand United have maintained their place at mid table, moving eighth on 21 points from 20 matches.
They are six points above relegation zone. The result means that Yanga, who are the defending champions, can close the gap to just three points at the top of league table with a win in their next match. Simba started strongly and went ahead after just six minutes through left wing back Asante Kwasi.
Ghanaian attacker Nicholas Gyan raced on the left turned a defender inside out and set up Laudit Mavugo but the Burundian shot was spilled off by goalkeeper, Mohammed Makaka before the ball landed on Kwasi’s path and the defender easily tapped home for his seventh goal of the campaign. In the 19th minute, goalkeeper Makaka was quick to come off his line to stop Gyan from connecting home Shiza Kichuya’s cross.
Simba were 2-0 up in the 23rd minute. Shomary Kapombe raced clear to a defence splitting pass from Muzamiru Yassin and the defender squared to Mavugo, who easily tapped home. Stand United reorganised and after half an hour mark, striker, Ndikumana Selemani tested goalkeeper, Aishi Manula with a diagonal shot but the Burundian failed to hit the target.
They were rewarded in 36th minute, pulling one back after Simba defenders went to sleep. A deep cross in by Lulambo was well met with Seif’s diving header, giving no chance for Manula. With four minutes to go, Lulambo made 2-2 after his corner kick went straight into the back of the net, beating Kapombe at the near post and keeper failed to clear. In the second stanza Simba brought in Juma Luizio for Mavugo. But it was a slow start to the game.
Stand United keeper was called again in the 55th minute, to parry off a curling shot from Kichuya and in an hour mark, defender Ally Ally fought bravely to stop goal bound Luizio. A minute later Simba netted the third through Gyan’s blistering shot, his second of the campaign.
It started from Muzamiru’s corner kick which was punched by keeper and the scorer reacted quickly to power home. The goal lasted for just five minutes as Stand pulled level yet again to conclude a six-goal thriller. Blaise was set up by Ndikumana and created a space for himself before unleashing a blistering shot past Manula. Simba showed little urgency in their attempts to reclaim the lead until the final moments of the match, when Stand United were required to dig deep and sit deep.
The Msimbazi Reds brought in Mwinyi Kazimoto for Muzamiru and were able to fashion few chances including a near miss by Kichuya in the 77th minute, with his shot blocked by defenders. Meanwhile, Kagera fans are hopeful that their home team Kagera Sugar will utilise the remaining 11 matches to the maximum to escape relegation. Last season Kagera Sugar finished on third position.
However, the tide has changed and the team is currently placed on 14th position, having managed to collect 15 points from 19 matches. They have won only two matches drew nine and lost eight matches.
Kagera Sugar will be back in action today when they welcome Majimaji FC, who are on 16th position with 14 points in their kit. Kagera Sugar will play five matches at their home ground-Kaitaba against Majimaji, Tanzania Prisons, Mtibwa, Stand United and Njombe Mji. The away matches will be against Yanga, Mwadui, Ndanda, Mbeya City, Simba and Lipuli.
Asante Kwasi, Laudit Mavugo and Nicholas Gyan scored a goal each but Tariq Seif, Aaron Lulambo and Bigirimana Blaise also netted a goal each as the Mainland Premier League leaders dropped crucial points in race for silverware. The result was a ‘bitter pill’ for Simba fans to swallow as their team failed to extend gap at the summit of the league table to eight.
However, they remained top of the log on 46 points from 20 matches, six ahead of closest challengers Young Africans, who have a game in hand. Simba couldn’t manage more than 3-3 against relegation-wary Stand United. At both ends of the table, this could be a significant draw for both teams, and for different reasons. Stand United have maintained their place at mid table, moving eighth on 21 points from 20 matches.
They are six points above relegation zone. The result means that Yanga, who are the defending champions, can close the gap to just three points at the top of league table with a win in their next match. Simba started strongly and went ahead after just six minutes through left wing back Asante Kwasi.
Ghanaian attacker Nicholas Gyan raced on the left turned a defender inside out and set up Laudit Mavugo but the Burundian shot was spilled off by goalkeeper, Mohammed Makaka before the ball landed on Kwasi’s path and the defender easily tapped home for his seventh goal of the campaign. In the 19th minute, goalkeeper Makaka was quick to come off his line to stop Gyan from connecting home Shiza Kichuya’s cross.
Simba were 2-0 up in the 23rd minute. Shomary Kapombe raced clear to a defence splitting pass from Muzamiru Yassin and the defender squared to Mavugo, who easily tapped home. Stand United reorganised and after half an hour mark, striker, Ndikumana Selemani tested goalkeeper, Aishi Manula with a diagonal shot but the Burundian failed to hit the target.
They were rewarded in 36th minute, pulling one back after Simba defenders went to sleep. A deep cross in by Lulambo was well met with Seif’s diving header, giving no chance for Manula. With four minutes to go, Lulambo made 2-2 after his corner kick went straight into the back of the net, beating Kapombe at the near post and keeper failed to clear. In the second stanza Simba brought in Juma Luizio for Mavugo. But it was a slow start to the game.
Stand United keeper was called again in the 55th minute, to parry off a curling shot from Kichuya and in an hour mark, defender Ally Ally fought bravely to stop goal bound Luizio. A minute later Simba netted the third through Gyan’s blistering shot, his second of the campaign.
It started from Muzamiru’s corner kick which was punched by keeper and the scorer reacted quickly to power home. The goal lasted for just five minutes as Stand pulled level yet again to conclude a six-goal thriller. Blaise was set up by Ndikumana and created a space for himself before unleashing a blistering shot past Manula. Simba showed little urgency in their attempts to reclaim the lead until the final moments of the match, when Stand United were required to dig deep and sit deep.
The Msimbazi Reds brought in Mwinyi Kazimoto for Muzamiru and were able to fashion few chances including a near miss by Kichuya in the 77th minute, with his shot blocked by defenders. Meanwhile, Kagera fans are hopeful that their home team Kagera Sugar will utilise the remaining 11 matches to the maximum to escape relegation. Last season Kagera Sugar finished on third position.
However, the tide has changed and the team is currently placed on 14th position, having managed to collect 15 points from 19 matches. They have won only two matches drew nine and lost eight matches.
Kagera Sugar will be back in action today when they welcome Majimaji FC, who are on 16th position with 14 points in their kit. Kagera Sugar will play five matches at their home ground-Kaitaba against Majimaji, Tanzania Prisons, Mtibwa, Stand United and Njombe Mji. The away matches will be against Yanga, Mwadui, Ndanda, Mbeya City, Simba and Lipuli.
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