Simba SC now poised for title

Zanzibar. An all-Ugandan teams final in the 2014 Mapinduzi Cup was extinguished by Mainland giants Simba after their impressive 2 -0 victory over Uganda’s URA in the second semi-finals played at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

Uganda Revenue Authority midfielder, Owen Kasule was given marching orders a minute to halftime to grant numerical advantage to the Msimbazi Reds.

Indeed, the advantage counted as they scored two quick goals in succession in a space of five minutes in the 49th and 53rd minutes of the floodlit game played before a capacity cheering atmosphere of fans.

Kenyan defender Donald Mosoti, who was transferred from Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia last month, reacted swiftly to a 49th minute Amir Kiemba Ramadhan corner and placed it to centre half Joseph Owino who, tapped it home.

Celebrations that greeted the goal had hardly died down when Kiemba doubled the lead five minutes later.

The victory enabled Simba to sail through and break the jinx of not beating URA in all competitions.

Simba will now take on Kampala City Council (KCC), who came from two goals down to edge out Tanzanian free spending Azam FC 3-2 in the first semi-final.

The final will take place tomorrow at the Amaan Stadium from 4:pm.

Line-ups:

Simba:- Ivo Mapunda, Haruna Shamte, Issa Rashid, Joseph Owino, Donald Mosoti, Jonas Mkude, Haroun Chanongo, Amri Kiemba, Ramdhan Singano, Amisi Tambwe and Awadh Juma.

URA: Yasin Mugabi, Sam Senkoomi, Musa Doca, Jonathan Mugabi, Allan Munaaba/James Kasibante (71st), Oscar Agaba, Hashim Sempala/Elkanah Nkugwa (81st), Owen Kasule, Ali Feni/Ilic Milos (76th), Erisa Sekisambu/Emmanuel Ngama (59th) and Augustine Nsumba/Martin Kivumbi (73rd).

Meanwhile, Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa has assured that the team is close to securing the services of former Azam FC player Humphrey Mieno, just hours after completing a move for Kenyan international Cliffton Miheso.

Mieno has spent the last 12 months at Azam FC but lately showed no keen interest at returning to the club, prompting Sofapaka to open talks for his return to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), and Kalekwa says discussions to have him back are almost complete.

He was quoted as saying from Nairobi yesterday that about 90 per cent is done and all that remains is to work out the financial bit.

“On Mieno, we have already agreed on everything with Azam, I should say 90 per cent is done and all that remains for us is to work on modalities over how we are going to pay and other financial engagements, but I can assure that he is coming back to Sofapaka,” he said.

Mieno left for Azam after the 2012 season along with Jockins Atudo who has also completed a move back to Tusker.