Azam FC defender Shomari Kapombe (left) and Simba defender Mohammed Hussen (right) vie for the ball as Aboubakari Salum (second left) and Ibrahim Ajib look on during their Vodacom Premier League match at the National Stadium yesterday. Simba won 2-1. PHOTO | Anthony siame
What you need to know:
Second half goals from Ibrahim Ajib and Ramadhani Singano ensured the Msimbazi giants bagged the bragging rights besides improving their chances for international football.
Dar es Salaam. Simba SC boosted their hopes of finishing second in the Vodacom Premier League yesterday after recording a hard-fought 2-1 victory over 10-man Azam FC at the National Stadium.
Second half goals from Ibrahim Ajib and Ramadhani Singano ensured the Msimbazi giants bagged the bragging rights besides improving their chances for international football.
Simba, who have missed out on Caf competitions for four seasons, sit third on the 14-team log with 44 points after 25 outings. They have a game left and a point adrift of second-placed Azam.
Azam, however, have two matches in hand and need hardly a point to guarantee playing in the Confederation Cup next season. It will be their third straight year in Caf events if they qualify.
Azam risk being leapfrogged by Simba considering that they have to play red-hot Yanga and stubborn JKT Mgambo.
Yanga, who were dumped out of the Confederation Cup by Etoile du Sahel on Saturday, will compete in the African Champions League after clinching the domestic title last Monday.
Yesterday’s match kicked off on a high tempo with both sides looking for early goals. However, as the game grew, Simba looked more comfortable on the ball, forcing the dethroned champions to go defensive.
Azam created several clear chances midway through the first half, but Didier Kavumbagu and Kipre Tcheche could not convert them.
The ice-cream producers suffered a blow in the 38th minute when their midfield maestro Salum Aboubak saw red after picking two quick yellow cards. With a man advantage, Simba terrorised the Azam backline, but could not break the stalemate until the breather.
After the resumption, Simba picked from where they had left off and managed to open the scoring in the 48th minute through Ajib. The towering forward’s header left Aishi Manula diving in vain.
Azam refused to back down and their efforts paid off in the 57th minute when Mudathir Yahya half volley went past Ivo Mapunda.
The game was destined for a one-all draw after Yahya’s equaliser, but Singano’s wonder strike in the 74th minute sealed maximum points for the Msimbazi side.
Line-ups
Simba SC: Ivo Mapunda, Hassan Kessy, Mohammed Hussein, Joseph Owino, Juuko Mursheed, Jonas Mkude, Ramadhani Singano/ William Lucian (85), Said Ndemla/Elias Maguri (75), Ibrahim Hajib, Emmanuel Okwi, Awadh Juma.
