TZW
Simba netted two goals in the first half and added three more in the action-packed second half to end 5-0 goal victors. The victory has sky-rocketed Simba eight-point above their closest challengers and rivals Young Africans, who, didn’t play yesterday
. Simba have notched 45 points while their closest pursuers, Yanga have remained distant second with 37 points, with a match in hand. Simba looked determined to punish Mbao FC, the team that drew with them 2-2 in the first leg match at CCM Kirumba Stadium late last year.
The first 45 minutes of the tense game saw Mbao playing with determination to hold again Simba and they had created several dangerous moves at Simba goal, but most of their raids lacked power and never troubled goalkeeper Aishi Manula.
The hosts Simba, who missed the services of their hit man, John Bocco due to injury, had minimal entry into the visitor’s territory in the early exchanges with Mbao backline doing a commendable job to deny Ugandan striker, Emmanuel Okwi who traded as the lone striker on the day as a team captain.
Simba made an early adjustment in 19th minute by benching off Said Hamis for Mzamiru Yassin, a move that gave Simba a control of the midfield. However, the once considered concrete defence was exposed in 37th minute when Okwi’s well crafted pass found Shiza Kichuya outside the box and the player played a grass cutter shot which was deflected on the way into the net past beaten Mbao keeper Ivan Rugumandiye.
It was the goal that Simba needed most to settle down and play in accordance with the rhythm of the visitors who were always confident on the ball. As this was not enough, three minutes later, Okwi was grounded inside the box by Mbao defender David Mwassa, a situation that made the referee to point on the spot and Okwi stepped in to score the second goal for his side.
At resumption, Simba were all over the pitch as they fully dominated the game and pushed more men upfront in a hunt for more goals. Mbao had a golden chance to score in the 64th minute when Herbert Lukindo found himself inside the box, but his volley went over the cross bar to the advantage of he hosts. In 69th minute, Okwi sealed a brace as his left-leg strike was too powerful for custodian Rugumandiye to play.
The goal was initiated by substitute Mzamiru. The Ugandan striker Okwi picked up an injury in the 76th minute and limped off the field with Laudit Mavugo taking up his place.
Following series of pressure, Simba’s overlapping defender Erasto Nyoni netted a fourth goal for his side in the 81st minute thanks to his well calculated set-piece which took a deflection before hitting the back of the net. At this juncture, it was extremely difficult for the Mwanzabased team to make a comeback and had themselves to blame for squandering golden chances mainly in the first half of the match.