Okwi stars as Simba close gap on Yanga

Dar es Salaam. Emmanuel Okwi took his goal tally to 11 in the Mainland Premier League as his first half strike gave Simba a 1-0 win against Tanzania Prisons yesterday.

The victory means the Msimbazi Reds have closed the gap on league leaders Young Africans to two points.

They now sit second with 78 points from 30. Yanga have so far amassed 80 points from 34 games.

Azam FC are placed third with 66 points after 33 matches.

Okwi scored the all-important goal for title-holders Simba in the 11th minute off a James Kotei pass at the Sokoine Memorial Stadium in Mbeya.

Okwi is now six goals behind teammate Meddie Kagere, while Young Africans’ Heritier Makambo and Salim Aiyee of Mwadui have so far scored 16 goals each.

Meanwhile, a ticket for the 2019 Azam Sports Federation Cup final will be at stake when Young Africans and Lipuli FC face off today.

The semi-final of the tournament also known as FA Cup, kicks off at 4pm at the Samora Memorial Stadium in Iringa.

The winner of what promises to be a nail-biting encounter will face Azam FC in the final early next month.

Azam qualified for the Azam Federation Cup final at the expense of KMC. They beat them 1-0 last Friday. Lipuli coach Selemani Matola said yesterday that his men will give the Jangwani Streets giants a real run for their money it today’s clash.

“It’s true Yanga are playing very well and are a difficult team to beat, but I think we have the quality to down them,” he said.

Matola said their target is to emerge new Federation Cup champions and represent the country in the Africa Confederation Cup. Two or so months ago, Yanga lost 1-0 to Lipuli in the Mainland Premier League match at the same venue.

“Of course, we beat them but I don’t think it’s going to be an easy game. Even the game we won was not easy,” said Matola.

“If we are to get a good result, we have to fight very hard. I know they are going to come at us but we are prepared for that,” he added.

His Yanga counterpart Mwinyi Zahera said they will not afford another defeat to the Iringa today.

“What happened in the league match is now water under the bridge. We have to focus on the coming assignment,” said Zahera.

Yanga- yet to win a trophy under Zahera – need to take the competition seriously, especially given it is Lipuli standing between them and a place in the final.

“It is important to take every competition seriously, whatever the competition is,” Zahera said.

“Of course, there is priority in the season but it is the Federation Cup game and if you go through there is a final and a good chance,” he added.