Simba SC down, Azam FC up

Dar es Salaam. Shocked. Frustrated. Sad. The look on Simba SC fans said it all at the National Stadium yesterday after the recovering premier league giants were held to a goalless draw by JKT Ruvu.

On the other side of the commercial city, it was a different tale as Azam FC walloped Majimaji of Ruvuma 3-0 at the Azam Complex.

Evidently dumbfounded, fans of the Msimbazi Street side could not believe it when the referee blew the final whistle. But it happened. And Simba SC dropped one position in the league standing.

Yesterday’s results will definitely not augur well with a team that had a brilliant start to the new season. But again, it’s too early to judge. After all, it’s the second game of the season.

Azam FC took the top position of the league standing with four points and a four goal aggregate, while Simba SC slumped to the second with four points and three goal forward.

Yet it started as a good day for Simba SC, which dominated the match, created many clear scoring chances, but JKT Ruvu defenders cleared all the dangerous balls. Simba SC strikers Laudit Mavugo, Frederick Blagnon and Shiva Kichuya were found wanting when they failed to utilise clear chances in the encounter.

Blagnon could have easily given the hosts a good lead in eighth minute, but he failed to deliver a well-wrapped package from Jamal Mnyate on the left wing. The Cote d’Ivoire striker shot was saved by JKT Ruvu goalkeeper, Said Kipao.

JKT Ruvu too were in position to score two minutes later via Saad Kipanga, but Simba’s Zimbabwean import, defender Method Mwanjali cleared the ball to save his club from what could have become a disaster later.

In the 18th, Simba made yet another threat, but Atupele Green’s shot went wide. Kichuya’s long range chip ball was also punched away by in-form JKT Ruvu goalie Kipao.

Simba SC continued to dominate the game, but it paid no dividends because they at the same time wasted many clear chances, giving their opponents the breathing space they needed to cause havoc.

In the end, Simba SC had noone but themselves to blame for not making use of what they almost had.

At the Azam Complex, John Bocco scored two goals to take his team to the top. Bocco scored in the second minute, and later in the 83rd.

Mudathir Yahya scored for the Ice Cream Makers in the 65th. Majimaji, who lost 1-0 at home ground against Tanzania Prisons in their first game, did not impress.

Elsewhere, Mtibwa Sugar won 2-1 against Ndanda FC at Manungu ground. Mtibwa Sugar goals were scored by Ali Shomari and Rashid Mandawa.

Ndanda FC’s goal was scored by Shija Mkina. Also, Mwadui won 1-0 against newcomers Mbao FC at CCM Kirumba Stadium.

Mwadui goal was scored by Abdallah Seseme. Tanzania Prisons were held to a 1-1 draw by Ruvu Shooting at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.

Kagera Sugar also had a goalless draw against Stand United.