Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania – Simba continued their challenge for the Tanzanian Premier League title with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Mbao at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Monday evening.
Uganda international striker, Emmanuel Okwi scored twice to take his tally to 18 in all competitions this season as Pierre Lechantre’s side stretched their lead at the top to 8 points with eleven rounds to go although second placed Young Africans have a game in hand.
Faced with a well-drilled Mbao who seemed to dominate the early exchange, Simba struggled in the opening half-hour and were forced to make a tactical substitution by introducing midfielder Mzamiru Yassin for the struggling Said Ndemla.
Simba took control of proceedings, and seven minutes later took the lead. Mzamiru played in Shiza Kichuya and the striker’s low left-footed shot was deflected into the net by David Mwasa.
Two minutes later, the unfortunate Mwasa made contact with Okwi inside the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Okwi stepped up and expertly converted from the spot to double Simba’s lead.
A minute before the halftime break, Mbao captain Yusuph Ndikumana hacked down Okwi inside the box, but to the disbelief of the home fans, the Msimbazi Reds were not awarded a penalty.
Mbao started the second half on top, goalkeeper Aishi Manula having to turn one shot on to the bar, but found themselves conceding a third when Okwi received a pass from Mzamiru in the 69th minute and found himself clear in space to lash home his 16 league goal of the season, the best return of his career.
Okwi was taken off ten minutes from normal stoppage after picking up an injury following a collision with defender Amos. He was replaced by Burundi international, Laudit Mavugo.
Nonetheless, Simba pushed for more goals and did find the back of the net for a fourth time in the 82nd courtesy of Erasto Nyoni deflected free kick.
Ndikumana had to endure one of his worst performances when he was sent off in 85; He picked a second yellow card for hauling down Mavugo.
Ghanaian import, Nicholas Gyan completed the rout in the 86minute by poking home a header from Asante Kwasi which was follow up of a rebound from Mavugo shot that hit the crossbar.
Here is how they line up.
Simba: Aishi Manula, Shomari Kapombe, James Kotei, Yussuph Mlipili, Erasto Nyoni, Asante Kwasi, Jonas Mkude, Said Ndemla, Shiza Kichuya( Rashid Juma ’86) Nicholas Gyan and Emmanuel Okwi ( Laudit Mavugo ’80).
Mbao; Iyvan Rugumandiye, Boniphace Maganga, Amos Charles, David Mwasa, Yusuph Ndikumana, Ibrahim Njohole (Said K. Said ’57), Herbet Lukindo, George Sangija, Habibu Hajji, James Msuva (Rajesh Kotecha ’51) and Emmanuel Mvuyekure (Ismail Ally ’70)
