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Goalie stars as Simba, Yanga share the spoils

Young Africans goalkeeper Beno Kakolanya is challenged by Simba defender Pascal Wawa (second left) during the Mainland Premier League match at the National Stadium yesterday. Also in the picture are Yanga defender Heritier Makambo and Simba striker Meddie Kagere (right). PHOTO | MICHAEL MATEMANGA

What you need to know:

  • Yanga now sit second in the league table with 13 points from five matches, a point adrift of leaders Mbao FC, while Simba remain fifth with 11 points

Dar es Salaam. Mainland giants Simba and Young Africans battled to a barren draw in the Premier League match at the National Stadium yesterday.

Goalkeeper Beno Kakolanya reigned supreme in the nailing-biting clash at the 60,000-seater venue to ensure Yanga remain unbeaten in the league.

“We have not won because we didn’t score, but overall we have been very superior,” said Simba head coach Patrick Aussems.

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Simba enjoyed the lion’s share of the well-attended match, but they failed to turn into goals chances they created.

The Msimbazi Street giants were the first to have a real chance in the 11th minute when striker Emmanuel Okwi’s glancing header went over the bar.

Two minutes later, Simba’s Clatous Chama had chance to score, but his close range shot didn’t trouble goalkeeper Kakolanya.

Meddie Kagere could have won the pulsating encounter for the Msimbazi Reds too, but he side-footed wide from close range towards the end of the first half.

Three minutes earlier, Yanga striker Ibrahim Ajibu broke through but the former Simba forward hot feebly straight at goalkeeper Aishi Manula.

In the end, both teams could have claimed victory but neither was perhaps too disappointed with a point.

Yanga now sit second in the 20-team league table with 13 points from five matches, a point adrift of leaders Mbao FC.

Defending champions Simba remain fifth with 11 points after five outings, while Mtibwa Sugar and Azam FC are third and fourth with 13 and 12 points respectively.

Mtibwa tie on 13 points with Yanga but the Morogoro-based team is behind on goal difference.

The Dar es Salaam derby, which is regarded as the most popular derby in East and Central Africa, lived up to its billing.

The impressive turn out, dizzying speed and dazzling quality on the pitch made the derby eye-catching.

Rival fans at the 60,000-seater venue were caught up in excitement throughout the match, thanks to the conducive atmosphere.

And as the two teams engaged in a grueling battle on the pitch, chants, dances and noises kept the derby alive.

Line-ups

Simba:- Aishi Manula, Shomari Kapombe, Mohamed Hussein, Erasto Nyoni, Paschal Wawa, James Kotei, Jonas Mkude, Clatous Chama/ Mohammed Ibrahim, Meddie Kagere, Emmanuel Okwi/Adam Salamba and Shiza Kichuya/ Said Ndemla.

Yanga:- Beno Kakolanya, Paul Godfrey, Gadiel Michael, Vincent Andrew, Kelvin Yondani, Feisal Salum, Deus Kaseke, Papy Tshitshimbi, Herietier Makambo, Ibrahim Ajib/ Emmanuel Martin and Deus Kaseke/ Mrisho Ngasa.

In the headlines