Simba SC players hold the trophy as they celebrate after beating their arch-rivals Young Africans 3-1 in a special friendly match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday. PHOTO | MICHAEL MATEMANGA
What you need to know:
Following their convincing victory, Simba were awarded Sh1.1m while their arch-rivals Yanga got Sh989,400
Dar es Salaam. The National Stadium turned into a sea of red and white yesterday when classy Simba hit their arch-rivals Young Africans 3-1 in a special friendly match.
And coach Zdravko Logarusic was delighted with how his team reacted to recent criticism following the departure of some of their key players, including goalkeeper Juma Kaseja.
“It was the best we have been in this month in terms of the level of our play, our effectiveness and how we managed to maintain that level for the better part of the game.
“We were excellent. This is what we are looking for, we are getting better,” said the excited Logarusic.
It was second match for the Croatian tactician in charge of Simba following their victory of similar margin against Zanzibar champions KMKM in a friendly match last week.
Following their victory, the Msimbazi Reds were awarded Sh1,061,600 while Yanga received Sh989,384 from their sponsor Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL).
The match dubbed the battle of the titans started at a cracking pace with both teams pressing up front in turn in search of the match-opener.
Hamis Tambwe shot Simba into wild cheers in the 14th minute when he capitalised on a defensive mix-up to unleash a sizzling shot that gave goalkeeper Kaseja no chance.
In the 44th minute, substitute Ramadhan Singano was brought down in the penalty box by Yanga’s defender David Luhende and referee Ramadhan Ibada, standing nearby, never hesitated to award Simba a penalty.
Tambwe made no mistake with the resultant spot kick, sending Kaseja the wrong way in front a mammoth crowd.
Yanga’s midfield maestro Athuman Idd and Frank Domayo had a disappointing afternoon as the Msimbazi Reds won the battle in the midfield.
Sensing the danger of losing the match, Yanga head coach Ernie Brandts brought in former Simba striker Emmanuel Okwi, Simon Msuva and Hassan Dilunga to replace Hamis Kiiza, Didier Kavumbagu and Athuman Idd.
In the 51st minute, defender Nadir Haroub’s close range effort narrowly missed target as Brandts’ boys pressed for a goal.
Simba ought to have made it 3-0 in the 61st minute when second half substitute Ramadhan broke through, only to see his shot hit the underside of the cross bar.
A minute later, Awadh Juma capitalised on a ‘school boy’ error by Kaseja to easily score the third goal for Simba.
