Simba lose ground vs Yanga
SIMBA failed to leapfrog Young Africans at the helm of Premier League table following their 1-1 draw with Singida Big Stars at Liti Stadium in Singida on Wednesday.
Simba have remained two-point inferior to the leaders Yanga after collecting 18 points following the yesterday’s draw.
If Simba defeated Singida Big Stars they would grab the Premier League with superior goal average since both teams could stamp a 20-point mark.
Following the draw, Singida Big Stars have climbed up one position to 3rd place after collecting 18 points and temporarily leapfrogged Azam who dropped to the fourth position with 17 points prior to their yesterday’s game with Dodoma Jiji at Azam Complex in the city.
It took Singida Big Stars 2 minutes of the game to knock Simba’s door, but Brazilian Dario Federico’s drive ended at the waiting hands of Simba’s goalie Beno Kakolanya.
Simba’s first choice goalie, Aishi Manula was benched off.
Simba responded two minutes later through Mohamed Hussein’s freekick, but Paul Godfrey cleared the ball for a fruitless corner.
In 7th minute Zambian international Mosses Phiri missed a golden chance to put Simba ahead as he failed to connect home Shomari Kapombe’s cross.
Singida Big Stars’ winger Deuse Kaseke scored the opener in 11th minute after he connected home a well-executed cross from the former Simba and Mtibwa Sugar midfielder, Said Hamis Ndemla. Ndemla received a pass from Federico.
Mosses Phiri’s header in 20th minute was cleared by Paul Godfrey and again it became fruitless corner.
Singida Big Stars, who launched some series of counter attacks, missed some glorious chances to double the score in the 25th and 29th minutes when their striker Meddie Kagere failed to reach the ball while inside the box.
In 40th minute Simba’s Pape Ousmane Sakho managed to run past Singida Big Stars defenders, but his powerful shot flew just over Singida Big Stars goal.
Simba’s Dennis Kibu was the one to blame yesterday evening after he missed couple of good chances in 48th , 51 and 52th minutes of the second half.
Introduction of Malawian Peter Banda, who replaced Jonas Mkude, brought hopes on Simba’s attacking zone as they launched series of attacks but Dennis Kibu failed to capitalize on them.
It was Peter Banda who brought relief to Simba after netting an equalizer in the 58th minute.
He fired a tricky shot from the right flank and caught Singida Big Stars goalie Abubakari on the wrong foot.
In 64th Singida’s goalie Khomen denied Simba’s Kibu Dennis an opportunity to score before the host reacted with Said Ndemla’s shot that went a few inches off target.
Singida Big Stars hang on to claim a point at their home ground.
