Simba win to extend 4-point lead

SUBSTITUTE Awadhi Juma produced a moment of a winning magic as his stunning strike gave Simba a crucial 1-0 victory over battling Prisons at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

It looked as if the game would finish goalless before Juma’s spectacular late strike ensured Jackson Mayanja’s side three maximum points, opening a four-point lead at the top of the table.

The goal on the 86th minute from 25 yards beat outstanding Beno Kakolanya, in the Prisons goal, sparking wild celebrations among Simba fans, who looked frustrated as time ticked towards the final whistle.

Simba are now on 54 points from 23 outings, with their archrivals Young Africans in second place on 50 points from 21 games, while Azam are placed in the third position with 47 points out of 20 games.

Prisons remain fifth on the table following the defeat. The Mbeya-based army wardens are on 36 points, having won nine, drawn nine and lost four matches. Simba head coach Jackson Mayanja made one change to his starting line-up with striker Musa Hassan replacing midfielder Said Ndemla, who started on the bench.

Salum Mayanga’s Prisons travelled to Dar es Salaam fifth in the table – 15 points adrift of the league leaders, whom they edged 1-0 in the first round match played at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.

The former Taifa Stars assistant coach Mayanga lined up Jeremia Juma Mgunda and Hamis Mkopi, his deadly striking duo, upfront against Simba’s defence, marshalled by Juuko Murshid and Novaty Lufunga.

Simba quickly took the game to their opponents but struggled to create much in the way of clear goals-scoring opportunities despite their superiority in the opening exchange. But finally they created a great opportunity 14 minutes into the game. Fullback Mohamed Hussein was sent clear down the left flank and whipped in an inch-perfect cross that found Hamis Kiiza inside the box.

The Ugandan talisman beat an on-rushing goalkeeper Beno Kakolanya to the cross, but his side-footed effort from six yards was narrowly off target. Simba fashioned out another opening against a rigid Prisons defence in the 17th minute, with Hajib setting up right wing back Hassan Kessy, whose shot from the edge of the box went inches wide.

Four minutes later Hajib teased his marker before curling a fine effort that was tipped around the post by Kakolanya, for a futile corner. The hosts kept pushing for the opener but visitors’ defence and their custodian stood tall and cleared almost every danger directed into their goal. Kiiza passed another glorious opportunity after he played in by midfield Mwinyi Kazimoto, but the league’s leading scorer delayed to take a shot with the goalkeeper at his mercy and was eventually closed down by Prisons defenders.

There were two stoppages in play after Prisons goalkeeper Beno Kakolanya was injured, forcing the match official to add five minutes at the end of the first half. Simba narrowly escaped from going down when Jeremiah Mgunda blasted a header against the post with keeper Vicent Angban already beaten.

Simba replaced Hassan ‘Mgosi’ with Dan Lyanga at the restart and the home team started the second half the way they started the first, forcing Prisons into their own half. Hajib was only denied by the post after unleashing a decent effort from outside the 18-yard box after 52 minutes.

He was at it again three minutes later, this time drawing a smart save from goalkeeper with a dipping volley taken from outside the area. Prisons threatened to take the lead after the hour mark after Salum Kimenya’s wicked free-kick smashed against the post.

A fine team move by Simba in the 65th minute saw Hajib striking the post for the second time as the Reds went ever closer to breaking the deadlock. As the time passed by, Simba were increasingly becoming desperate, so were their supporters.

Mayanja sent on Juma and outcast Raphael Kiongera to try and spark his team’s attack but still they struggled to break down a committed Prisons defence. But Juma came to the rescue when he controlled the ball and dribbled past a defender before firing a powerful low shot that beat Kakolanya to his right.

In other matches played yesterday, Majimaji beat Stand United 1-0 at the Majimaji Stadium in Songea, while Kagera Sugar thrashed Coastal Union 3-0, with Mgambo JKT held to a 1-1 by Mwadui at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga.