Mbao shatter Simba records 

ON fire Simba failed to reclaim the Mainland Premier League helm after being held to a 2-2 draw by defiant Mbao FC in a thrilling match at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza yesterday.

Shiza Kichuya first half opener was cancelled out by Habibu Kiambo immediately after the restart. Midfielder, James Kotei sneaked in to reclaim Simba’s lead few minutes later but Boniface Maganga pulled level with nine minutes to go.

The draw stained Simba’s 316-minute clean sheet and, as well, goalkeeper Aishi Manula’s reputation as the safest hands between the posts. Head Coach, Joseph Omog cut a frustrating figure as the two goals Simba conceded marred the team’s foolproof defending system, manned by Juuko Murshid and Method Mwanjali.

But, despite the setbacks, Simba continue to have the best Goal Difference (GD) of 10-0, which no team has attained so far. They have netted 12 goals which is the highest while allowing two goals behind their net.

Simba continue to cling at the second position on the log with eight points one adrift the leaders Mtibwa Sugar, who have a game in hand. Simba and Mbao have played four matches each so far, while Mtibwa and the remaining 14 teams in the league have played three matches each.

It was a closely fought encounter and it was not a shock that Simba stumbled and dropped two points in their first match away from Dar es Salaam because Mbao displayed their characteristic determined game.

Simba started on a front foot and seven minutes into the game Emmanuel Okwi, combined well with John Bocco but failed to make the most from the chance created. After several near misses, Kichuya gave the visitors the lead in the 16th minute, flicking the ball with a looping header over goalkeeper Kelvin Ingendeleza.

He connected a dip cross inside the box from right wing-back, Erasto Nyoni, who had initially played one-two touches with Okwi. Sniffing the blood, Simba continued to pile pressure for more goals and Ghanaian striker Nicholas Gyan forced himself into the box but was blocked by defender Yusuf Mgeta after half an hour mark.

Two minutes later, John Bocco almost scored, but his effort was denied by no nonsense defender, Mgeta, who threw his body to block the shot and immediately thereafter, Muzamiru Yassin’s fizzled his shot away.

Then, Ugandan forward Okwi came close to doubling the lead from a free-kick that whistled past a post in the 40th minute. Mbao were forced to make early changes, by pulling off Hebert Lukindo, who was replaced by Said Said as they opted for a tough and physical game.

Kichuya picked a knock, and had to be replaced by Haruna Niyonzima a minute before the interval. Mbao came a more rejuvenated side and it paid off few seconds from the restart, when Kiambo caught goalkeeper, Manula off guard with a well drilled 30 yards low shot.

However, it took Simba hardly three minutes to restore their lead after Ghanaian holding midfielder; Kotei reacted quickly at the near post to tap in a set piece from Nyoni. The foul was awarded by referee Athuman Lazi after Niyonzima was bundled down by Hussein Kasanga few yards from the edge of the box.

It was the first goal for Kotei since joining the club last season. The goal was a wake-up call for the hosts, who made quick changes by introducing Ndaki Kisambare and Emmanuel Mvuyakure for Said Hamis and Ibrahim Njohole respectively.

It allowed Mbao to thread forward and they managed to pull level in the 81st minute, when Maganga’s powerful shot from the right side beat Manula at the far post The equalizer lightened up the game as both sides were in the hunt for the match winner but failed to utilize the chance they created in the last minutes of the game.

The best chance for Simba came in the 85th minute, when substitute Juma Luizio’s flick header was cleared by the keeper.