Simba defeat KMC to reduce points gap on leaders Yanga

Simba striker John Bocco (right) vies for the ball against KMC goalkeeper David Kissu during the Mainland Tanzania NBC Premier League match at the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza yesterday. Simba won 3-1. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • The Msimbazi Street giants now have 41 points from 18 matches. Yanga are at the top with 47 points collected from 18 matches

Mwanza. A 3-1 win against Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) Football Club has reduced Simba Sports Club’s gap against the top placed Young Africans (Yanga) to six points in the ongoing Mainland Tanzania NBC Premier League.

Simba’s goals were scored by John Bocco, Augustine Okrah and Henock Inonga Baka in the 15th, 54th and 73rd minutes respectively. The match was held at the CCM Kirumba Stadium. KMC’s consolation goal was scored by Saadala Lipangile in the 51st minute.

Following the victory, the Msimbazi Street giants now have 41 points from 18 matches. Yanga are at the top with 47 points collected from 18 matches. Other teams in the top five are Azam FC in third place with 37 points, Singida Big Stars and Namungo FC who have placed fourth and fifth after amassing 31 and 37 points respectively.

KMC’s defeat has resulted in the team remaining at number nine with 22 points from 18 matches.

Simba’s head coach Juma Mgunda said it was not an easy game for them to win as KMC played well and did not give them a chance to dominate the encounter. “KMC applied a close game and did not allow us to play our normal game. We had to change our strategy and this move gave us two goals,” said Mgunda.

He said they will continue to chase the first position as there are still 12 matches to go in the league.

“It is still too early to predict who is going to win the league. The race is still on and there are many matches to be played. My focus is on continuing to record more victories in the matches to come ,” he said.

KMC head coach Theiry Hitimana admitted that they made mistakes that allowed Simba to score from close range.

“We need to rectify all mistakes before we play again in the next set of matches. In the coming second round, we will need to be very keen,” said Hitimana.