On-song Simba eye VPL top spot

Dar es Salaam. The top spot in the Mainland Premier League may change hands again today when star-studded Simba take on Mbao FC at the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.

A win for Simba in what promises to be a thrilling match, would see them wrest the league leadership back from Mtibwa Sugar, who are not in action today.

The Msimbazi Reds sit second in the league table with seven points from three games, two points adrift of Mtibwa, who have been sidelined until Sunday when they face Ruvu Shooting at the Mabatini venue, Coast Region.

Mbao, who are making their first appearance in the elite league, were busy yesterday, fine-tuning for the clash.

On paper, Simba will start as favourites. They have won their last three encounters with the Mwanza-based team.

In one of their matches with Etienne Ndayiragije’s men, Simba overcame a 2-0 first half deficit to down the Mwanza-based side 3-2 last season at the same venue.

The Msimbazi Street giants also beat Mbao 1-0 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam before outshining 2-1 in the Azam Sports FA Cup final at the Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma.

“We intend to defend that record having already enjoyed a couple of good wins in our last three matches against Mbao,” Simba assistant coach, Jackson Mayanja said yesterday.

Simba are among two teams that have conceded a goal this season. Third-placed Azam FC also boast of clean sheet. Mbao, on the other hand, will fighting for a win so as to put their campaign back on track. They are tenth in the league table with three points after the same number of matches.

They have vowed to hand the Msimbazi Reds their first defeat of the season in today’s showdown.

Mbao coach Etienne Ndayiragije is looking at the game to gauge the season prospects of his team.

“You benchmark yourself against the best side and they (Simba) are performing well,” the Burundian tactician said.

“These are the games you really find out about your character as a team, also your character as individuals,” he added. Simba will welcome back midfield maestro Haruna Niyonzima, who has shrugged off a knee injury that ruled him out of their match Mwadui at the Uhuru Stadium last weekend. They won the game 3-0.

But they will miss services of Shomary Kapombe and goalkeeper Said Mohamed are sick, according to Mayanja.

Strikers Emmanuel Okwi, Nicholas Gyan, John Bocco and Shiza Kichuya are among players Mbao defenders must mark tightly if they are to avoid humiliation at their home venue and before their fans.

Okwi struck four times to steer Simba to a 7-0 demolition of Ruvu Shooting in their first match.

He also grabbed a brace in their 3-0 win against Mwadui. He now leads the scoring chart with six goals.