It’s over: Yanga are the champs
Mwadui FC players celebrate after scoring their first goal against Simba SC during their Vodacom Premier League match at the National Stadium yesterday.Mwadui won 1-0.
PHOTO | DORIS MALIYAGA
What you need to know:
Simba had a remote chance of winning the league after three seasons of heartache; nonetheless, the Jamhuri Kihwelo-led side ensured that Yanga started the title party with three matches to spare.
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans retained their Vodacom Premier League (VPL) title yesterday thanks to Mwadui FC’s 1-0 victory over Simba SC at the National Stadium.
Simba had a remote chance of winning the league after three seasons of heartache; nonetheless, the Jamhuri Kihwelo-led side ensured that Yanga started the title party with three matches to spare.
Simba’s defeat means that no any other team can match Yanga’s 68 points. The Msimbazi side has 58 points after playing their 27th match yesterday. They have three games left.
Azam FC, who were primed to take the title battle down to the wire, imploded recently, but bounced back with a 2-1 win over Kagera Sugar at Shinyanga’s Kambarage Stadium.
The Chamazi team sits second with 60 points from 28 matches. The maximum point-mark they can hit is 66.
The solitary goal that handed Yanga the title was scored in the 73rd minute by Mwadui midfielder Jamal Mnyate who completed clinically a pass from Kevin Sabato.
Simba looked a stronger side in early minutes of the match, but could not create meaning chances until in the 16th minute when Emery Nimuboma fired a powerful shot that, however, goalie Shaban Kado saved.
Kado’s bravery came at cost as the former Yanga shot-stopper picked an injury that forced Mwadui to go for a substitution in the 20th minute.
Second choice goalie Jackson Abdulrahman took up the role and did not disappoint Mwadui fans who cheered the team alongside those of Yanga.
Rashid Mandawa came close to giving Mwadui the lead in the 23rd minute, but with the Simba goalkeeper to beat, he shot off target.
Mandawa missed a sitter three minutes later before Simba missed a clear chance via Said Juma in the 30th minute.
The first 45 minutes ended in a stalemate, but Simba approached the second half aggressively and could have scored through Ibrahim Hajib and Hamis Kiiza, but the duo fluffed their chances.
The home side found themselves trailing in the 73rd minute following Myante’s superb goal.
Simba suffered a blow in the 90th minute when Hajib was dismissed for a nasty foul Hassan Kabunda.
In Shinyanga, Azam’s goals were scored by Kipre Tchetche and Himid Mao while Kagera’s consolation came from Adam Kingwande.
At Sokoine Stadium, Tanzania Prisons beat Majimaji 2-0.
