Mukwala brace keeps Simba in Mainland league title hunt

Dar es Salaam. Ugandan striker Steven Mukwala was the hero as Simba Sports Club edged Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) 2-1 in a hard-fought Mainland Tanzania Premier League match held in Dar es Salaam.

Mukwala’s brace not only sealed the win for Simba but also helped close the gap on league leaders Young Africans (Yanga), intensifying the title race as the season nears its end. 

The match began with high intensity as KMC shocked Simba by opening the scoring in the 7th minute through Rashid Chambo.

Chambo capitalized on a well-placed pass from Oscar Paul, giving KMC an early lead and causing an uproar among their supporters. However, Simba responded swiftly.

Mukwala, who has been in impressive form throughout the season, brought Simba back into the game in the 15th minute.  

His equalizer came after a brilliant through pass from Joshua Mutale, who was instrumental in the midfield throughout the match. 

The goal reinvigorated Simba’s momentum, and they continued to press forward. 

Just two minutes into the second half, Mukwala found the back of the net again.

Once more, it was Mutale who provided the assist, showcasing his playmaking brilliance.

The goal marked Mukwala’s 11th in the ongoing golden boot race, highlighting his importance to Simba’s title push. 

With this result, Simba now have 69 points from 26 matches, sitting just one point behind Yanga, who lead the standings with 70 points from the same number of games.

The neck-and-neck race between the two Tanzanian football giants is expected to keep fans on the edge of their seats as the season approaches its climax.

KMC, on the other hand, find themselves in a more precarious position. The team is currently placed 11th with 30 points from 27 matches.

Speaking after the game, KMC’s acting head coach Adam Mbwana admitted to his team’s shortcomings. 

“We made avoidable mistakes, and that allowed Simba to get back into the game and eventually win,” he said.

Simba’s head coach, Fadlu Davids, praised his players for their resilience and performance despite a demanding fixture schedule.

“The players showed character and discipline. It wasn’t an easy match, especially with the packed schedule, but we delivered when it mattered most,” he noted.

The relegation battle is also heating up. KenGold FC have already been relegated to the Championship division, managing only 16 points from 27 matches.

According to league rules, the two teams at the bottom of the table are automatically relegated.

Meanwhile, the teams finishing in 13th and 14th place will face off in playoffs, with the loser playing another playoff against a Championship division team for a spot in next season’s top flight.

As the league nears its conclusion, both the title race and the battle for survival are promising a thrilling finish.