Chama stunner seals Simba win
DAR ES SALAAM: ZAMBIAN midfielder Clatous Chama once again emerged as a hero for Simba after scoring a stunner for his side against JKT Tanzania to secure a slender 1-0 victory in closely fought Premier League match at the Major General Isamuhyo’s ground in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
The stylish attacking midfielder scored a stunning goal in the 33rd minute, breaking the deadlock after being set up by Saido Ntibanzokiza outside the box.
Chama released a powerful shot that sailed into the back of the net, leaving goalkeeper Yakoub Seleman with no chance to stop it.
Simba had a chance to double their lead just before halftime from a foul ball by Chama, but Ntibanzokiza’s header missed the target by a few inches, much to the relief of JKT Tanzania.
The match started slowly at the Major General Isamhuyo ground, which hosted its first big match since it was established. Simba missed an early opportunity in the 1st minute through Ntibanzokiza, who was set up by Kibu Dennis, but the shot went off target.
As time went on, Simba tried to put pressure on JKT’s goal. In the 8th minute, Ntibanzokiza was fouled at the edge of the box, and Chama took the resulting shot, which was saved by goalkeeper Yakoub Seleman.
This denied Chama the chance to replicate his recent performance against Azam FC in Mwanza, where the two sides drew 1-1.
JKT responded in the 11th minute with a long ball counter attack that found Najib Magulu, who had a one-on-one opportunity with Simba goalkeeper Ayoub Lakred.
However, Lakred came off his line to clear the danger. Two minutes later, defender David Bryson overlapped and took a shot that was easily saved by Lakred. Simba had chances in the 25th and 28th minutes, but Saido Kanoute failed to convert both opportunities.
In the second half, both teams had chances to score, but Simba’s Kibu Dennis missed an opportunity after being set up by Shomari Kapombe. JKT also had a chance in the 47th minute, but Shiza Kichuya’s cross was pushed away by Lakred, and Sixtus Sabilo failed to score from the open net.
In the 55th minute, both teams made substitutions, with Simba bringing in Freddy Michael and Muzamiru Yassin for Dennis and Kanoute, respectively. JKT also made a change, replacing Sabilo with Ismail Kada.
JKT took control of the game and launched massive attacks on Simba’s goal in search of an equalizer. However, they failed to convert several chances, with Lakred making crucial saves to rectify his team’s defensive errors.
Simba, who dominated possession throughout the match, made three more changes by introducing Luis Miquissone, Pa Omar Jobe, and Israel Mwenda for Fabrice Ngoma, Chama, and Ntibanzokiza, respectively.
JKT also made substitutions, bringing in Edward Songo and Gamba Mtiko for Hamis Ndemla and Magulu. Simba finished the first round of the league in second place with 36 points from 15 games.
They are four points behind their archrivals and defending champions, Young Africans, who are at the top of the league with 40 points. Simba will now shift their focus to the CAF Champions League, where they are scheduled to face ASEC next Friday, February 23 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
JKT remains in 13th position with 16 points. In another league game played at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya, Tanzania Prisons recorded a 3-1 victory over Singida Fountain Gate.
As a result, Singida FG dropped from fifth to sixth place with 20 points, while Prisons climbed from ninth to seventh place after collecting 20 points from their 15 matches.
