Baleke’s hat-trick elevates Simba

DAR ES SALAAM: IT was a bright day for Simba’s Jean Baleke whose hattrick helped Simba to secure a hefty 3-0 victory over Coastal Union at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

The hat-trick, as well, has placed him far ahead of the pack in the race for golden boot award in the 2023/24 season with 5 goals to his account at the end of the league’s third round. Baleke scored all three within a span of 40 minutes, though he couldn’t beat Faisal Salum’s record of three goals within 14 minutes.

It was at the Uhuru Stadium in the city where Baleke exploded with a hat-trick to maintain his club’s perfect start to the Premier League season.

Baleke also scored during his team’s victories over Dodoma Jiji and Mtibwa Sugar.

Simba have joined their traditional rivals, Young Africans who have also won three matches consequently to claim nine points in three encounters, but superior goal average places Yanga at the pilot seat.

Yanga have netted 11 goals without conceding a goal while Simba have slammed home 9 goals while conceding two goals. The newly promoted Mashujaa, who temporarily claimed the pilot, have been pushed to the third position prior to the match between Azam and Singida Big Stars staged late yesterday at Azam Complex in the city.

In yesterday’s encounter, Simba displayed a chef-d’oeuvre performance right from the start and managed to score three goals before the end of the first half.

Baleke netted his side’s first goal in the 7th minute completing Clatous Chama’s assist. Baleke doubled the lead in the 11th minute with a timely finish from Mohamed Hussein’s assist.

As the first half edged to its climax, Baleke concluded Simba’s goal festival with a spot-kick after Coastal Union defenders committed foul inside the danger zone.

Simba made more attempts through Saido Ntibazonkiza in the 29th and 62nd minutes via free kicks with one hitting a woodwork and the other saved by Coastal Union goalkeeper, Chuma Mgeni.