Young Africans players celebrate with their title Premier League trophy at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam
Goals
from Burundian striker, Didier Kavumbagu in the first half and a
sensational second half strike from Ugandan striker, Hamisi Kiiza
condemned Simba to a painful defeat.
As
it has always been the case in the previous matches between the two
sides, the mere formality match at the 60,000-seater state-of-the-art
National Stadium in Dar es Salaam was marked by plenty of fanfare
displayed by fans of both sides early on.
It
was also not shot of drama as Mrisho Ngasa’s departure from Simba to
Yanga was “vividly confirmed” after he was presented with a jersey at
the end of the game and was carried shoulder high by jubilating Jangwani
Street team’s fans.
Both teams had little
beyond pride to play for Saturday but for Yanga, it was much more
pressing to win and avenge the 5-0 demolition at the hands of their
rivals in a corresponding fixture last season.
No
wonder, with a revenge mission in the mind, Yanga started forcefully
against Patrick Liewig’s youthful side, who were also desperate to win
to appease their fans following an uncharacteristic string of poor
performance in the league this season.
Mbuyu
Twite was lucky to walk out with just a yellow card following a crude
tackle on Haruna Chanongo after just two minutes. Yanga had more men in
the midfield four against three of Simba and it helped them to take
control of the game from the opening minutes of the game, denying Simba
to make any meaningful penetrations.
Athumani
Idd ‘Chuji’ played a game of his life for Yanga controlling the midfield
and was absolutely the man of the match yesterday. It came as a no
surprise, when Kavumbagu’s poaching header after just four minutes beat
goalkeeper, Juma Kaseja at the near post for Yanga’s opener.
The
goal came from a Twitwe’s resultant corner kick, which was initially
headed deep in by Kiiza for the scorer to flick in and the ball bounced
in front of the goal and twisted away from Kaseja’s stretching fingers.
From then, Yanga were enjoying good moment and displaying quick passing
game.
Yanga, then decided to slow it down a bit
as Simba started to press for an equaliser, but it seemed they badly
missed a target man of Felix Sunzu’s quality. The Zambian was sitting on
the bench in the first half. Kavumbagu tried an identical header on
21st minute but was unlucky, as he missed the target.
There
were a bit of frustration from Simba attackers as they failed to build
up any meaningful move. Luckily, though out of the blue Ngasa pressed
between Nadir Haroub and Kelvin Yondani and was brought down in the 26th
minute for penalty.
Agitated Haroub survived
with a yellow card. Mussa Mudde stepped up to take the penalty but the
Ugandan international stunned many, as his casual spot kick was easily
collected by keeper, Ally Mustafa. Simba got back into possession,
thereafter, pushing from the right flank where Ngasa was switching
places with Chanongo. They forced two corner kicks in the 39th minute
but failed to make the most out of them.
Yanga,
on the other hand were making most of their penetrations run from the
right where impressive, Simon Msuva was operating. Sunzu was called in
after the break for Abdallah Seseme. Ngasa positioned himself
strategically and he received a well pass from Chanongo but fired wide
in the 50th minute. Kaseja then saved from Msuva’s point black header in
the 57th minute.
Off colours, Amri Kiemba will
then blame himself for a poorly taken shot in the 61st minute, as Simba
were moving on progressively, attacking relentlessly. They were caught
on the break, when they failed to clear Twite’s big throw in and Kiiza
volleyed in a cracker into the roof top in the 63rd minute.
Ramadhani
Singano was thrown into the fray to replace Chanongo and Jonas Mkude
for Kiemba as Simba attempted to throw everything upfront. Double heroic
saves from Mustafa denied Simba two clear goals deep into the final
minutes of the game. Then, David Luhende took a bold move to cut across a
thick of defenders in the 84th minute but was brought down by Mkude.
Yanga
called in Nizar Khalfan for Kiiza and the midfiflder’s fierce shot from
a set piece hit the post and crushed against Kaseja’s face as Simba
survived a late scare. Juma Abdul came in for injured Twite but in the
end big questions will be asked for Simba defending in both goals.
The
two teams played out to a 1-1 draw when they clashed in the first round
match. Yanga came from behind to score a second half equalizer through a
Said Bahanuzi penalty after Amir Kiemba had given Simba a first-half
lead.
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