Simba, Yanga share spoils

DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA SC squandered a two-goal lead as fierce rivals Young Africans SC fought back to secure a 2-2 draw in a gripping Mainland Premier League clash at Major General Isamuhyo Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

The Msimbazi giants, buoyed by their 1-0 victory over Yanga in the Union Cup final in Zanzibar on Wednesday, made a blistering start.

Libasse Gueye fired them ahead in the third minute after latching onto a perfectly weighted pass from Clatous Chama.

Chama then doubled the lead in the 11th minute with a spectacular acrobatic overhead kick, meeting Elie Mpanzu’s lofted delivery beyond the Yanga defence to beat the advancing goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra.

Young Africans pulled one back in the 17th minute. Maxi Nzengeli delivered a long ball, Duke Abuya controlled and laid it off for Prince Dube, who finished low past Simba’s goalkeeper, Djibrilla Kassali.

Young Africans pressed again in the 29th minute, with Allan Okello attempting a long-range effort, but Kassali was equal to it and made the save. The first half ended with Simba in the lead.

The opening 15 minutes proved decisive, as Simba applied high pressing from midfield into the final third, a tactic that produced early goals and put them in control.

Young Africans, meanwhile, relied more on wing play and long balls, with most of their attempts coming from outside the box and failing to trouble Simba’s defence consistently.

Young Africans returned for the second half with more intensity following tactical changes, as Laurindo Aurélio “Depu” and Yao Kouassi replaced Mohamed Damaro and Israel Mwenda.

The impact was immediate, with Kouassi leading a counterattack and setting up Depu, whose volley was saved by Simba goalkeeper Djibrilla Kassali for a corner.

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The pressure paid off in the 49th minute. Pacome delivered a cross into the box to Dube, whose initial header was parried by Kassali.

The rebound fell to Bakari Mwamnyeto, who reacted quickly to score and level the match. Simba responded a minute later through Libasse Guèye, who led a counterattack, but Young Africans goalkeeper Djigui Diarra made the save.

Simba continued to push in the 54th minute when Inno Loemba advanced down the right and delivered a low cross to Elie Mpanzu, but Diarra denied him.

In the 79th minute, Young Africans had a chance to take the lead after Pacome played a pass into space to an unmarked Dube, but his shot went wide.

Late in the match, in the 89th minute, Guèye led another counterattack and forced a save from Diarra.

He attempted to follow up on the rebound, but the move broke down, leaving the score unchanged. The result keeps Young Africans top of the table on 48 points, five ahead of Simba in second.

This was another draw between the two sides this season, following their goalless meeting at the New Amaan Complex on March 1st. It underlines once again the fine margins that define Tanzanian football’s fiercest rivalry.