Simba, Mtibwa share spoils

DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA SC were left to rue a string of missed chances as Mtibwa Sugar fought back to earn a 1-1 draw in a lively Mainland Premier League contest at Major General Isamuhyo Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

The draw leaves Simba in fourth place with 13 points from six matches, while Mtibwa Sugar sit eighth on 11 points from nine games.

Both sides pushed for a winner in an open finale, but a combination of poor finishing and resolute defending ensured the spoils were shared.

Simba started on the front foot and created an early opening in the fifth minute when Elie Mpanzu drove down the left and slipped a pass through to Selemani Mwalimu, who failed to make clean contact in front of goal.

Five minutes later Simba were forced into an early change. Mohammed Bajaber picked up an injury and, after treatment, was unable to continue, with Kibu Denis introduced in his place. Mtibwa Sugar responded in the 16th minute with a quick counterattack from deep.

Having spent much of the opening period defending, Said Mkopi won possession, carried the ball forward and fired wide from distance.

Two minutes later Mtibwa pressed high and forced a mistake in Simba’s back line.

The loose ball fell to Fredrick Magata, whose low effort was saved by goalkeeper Hussein Abel.

Simba made their pressure count in the 19th minute. Kibu Denis worked the ball out to Shomari Kapombe on the right, and his low cross picked out Mpanzu in the area.

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The midfielder kept his composure to send a low shot past Constantine Malimi and give Simba the lead.

The hosts nearly doubled their advantage soon after Neo Maema exchanged passes with Mwalimu before striking from outside the box, but Malimi reacted well to push the ball away for a corner, which Simba failed to turn into a further chance. Simba went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

The second half saw a noticeable shift in Mtibwa Sugar’s approach. Previously relying on a low block, they opened up their play, defending as a unit but looking to exploit the wings for counter-attacks and taking shots from outside the box.

Mtibwa Sugar’s approach finally paid off in the 60th minute after pressing high, they won the ball on the right flank through Omary Manga.

Manga crossed into the box and found Kassim Shaibu who laid it off for teammate Fredrick Magata.

Magata made no mistake, sending a powerful strike into the far post past Simba goalkeeper Hussein Abel to level the score.