Yanga, Simba draw, Azam go top
Young Africans mid-fielder Haruna “Fabrigas” Niyonzima fights for the ball with Simba SC defender William Lucian during the traditional arch-rivals match at the National Stadium yesterday. The two sides drew 0-0 in a match that was full of tension both on the pitch and outside. PHOTO | EMMANUEL HERMAN
What you need to know:
Lack of concentration for Simba SC strikers made them lose three clear chances in 19th, 30th and 35th through Okwi and Elias Maguri who played well in the striking force.
Dar es Salaam. Tension both on the pitch and outside dominated as traditional arch-rivals, Young Africans and Simba SC drew 0-0 in a match of the ongoing Tanzania Mainland Premier League.
The match at the National Stadium saw the two giants missing many clear scoring chances due to lack of concentration of strikers. The results means Young Africans drop one position in the league standing with seven points while Simba move three positions to settle on seventh with four points. The results also mean Simba SC record their fourth straight draw since the league kicked off a few weeks ago. Young Africans strikers, Andrey Coutihno, Geilson “Jaja” Santos and Mrisho Ngassa are players to blame for the Jangwani Street side’s lack of goals.
On the other hand, Simba SC strikers, Emmanuel Okwi, Elius Maguri and Haruna Chanongo equally missed clear scoring chances for the Msimbazi Street boys.
Emmanuel Okwi’s shot went wide in the fifth minute before Elias Maguri’s shot was blocked by Nadir “Cannavaro” Haroub two minutes later. Young Africans took charge in the eighth as Geilson “Jaja” Santos header went wide after receiving a pass from Mrisho Ngassa. Yanga were in the mark again in the 13th following a nice shot from Jaja, but Simba SC goalkeeper saved his team. The Jangwani street boys missed other clear chances in 17th through Andrey Coutihno whose shot was cleared by Manyika.
Lack of concentration for Simba SC strikers made them lose three clear chances in 19th, 30th and 35th through Okwi and Elias Maguri who played well in the striking force.
Young Africans started the second half with quick pace and missed various clear chances. Jaja and Coutihno missed in the 72nd and 77th as they remained with Simba SC goalkeeper, Peter Manyika who made tremendous saves. The injury of Simba’s Jonas Mkude somehow hurt the side, as his replacement Pierre Kwizera under-performed.
In other match, defending champions Azam FC regained the league top position after beating Mbeya City 1-0 at the Sokoine Stadium. Aggrey Morris earned the lone goal in the match through a free kick. The victory made the Ice cream makers go top with 10 points.
Mtibwa Sugar drew 0-0 against Polisi Morogoro, while Ruvu Shooting recorded 3-1 against Ndanda FC at the Nangwanda Sijaona in Mtwara and Coastal Union won 2-0 against Mgambo JKT at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga.
