Simba fail to leapfrog Yanga in Mainland Tanzania Premier top spot
Simba’s attacking midfielder Elie Mpanzu (left) vies for the ball against Fountain Gate FC defender Shaaban Pandu during the ongoing Mainland Tanzania Premier League match at Tanzanite Kwaraa Stadium in Manyara on February 6, 2025. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Simba took the lead in the 57th minute through Leonel Ateba after a well-placed pass from Ladack Chasambi, who had received a quick free-kick from Jean Ahoua.
Dar es Salaam. Heavyweights Simba SC failed to overtake Young Africans (Yanga) at the top of the Mainland Tanzania Premier League standings after a 1-1 draw against Fountain Gate FC at Tanzanite Kwaraa Stadium in Manyara on February 6, 2025.
Simba took the lead in the 57th minute through Leonel Ateba after a well-placed pass from Ladack Chasambi, who had received a quick free-kick from Jean Ahoua.
Fountain Gate FC players protested to referee Abel William from Arusha over the quickly taken free-kick, but the referee stood by his decision.
However, Chasambi later scored an own goal, making it 1-1. The attacking midfielder attempted a back pass to his goalkeeper, Moussa Camara, but misplaced it, and Camara failed to stop the ball from going in.
After the equalizer, Simba continued pressing for a winning goal, but Fountain Gate FC’s defense held firm.
Fountain Gate FC were reduced to 10 players in the 93rd minute of injury time when goalkeeper Noble John received a second yellow card.
With all five substitutions already used, the coach decided to put infield player Hashim Omary, who was playing as a striker, as the goalkeeper.
Omary stepped up and made a crucial save in the 97th minute, denying Ateba a potential winner for Simba.
The result leaves Simba in second place with 44 points from 17 matches, while Yanga remain top with 45 points from the same number of matches.
Elsewhere, despite securing a 1-0 victory over Dodoma Jiji, Pamba Jiji remain in the relegation zone, holding 14th place in the Mainland Premier League standings.
The crucial win came from a 23rd-minute goal by Mathew Momanyi, marking Pamba Jiji’s third victory of the season after 17 matches.
The team has also recorded six draws and suffered eight losses. Dodoma Jiji, determined to claim maximum points, put up a strong fight but ultimately suffered a disappointing home defeat after a goalless first half.
The loss leaves them in ninth place with 16 points. Meanwhile, Prisons secured a vital 2-1 victory against Mashujaa at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.
Meshack Abraham, who came off the bench, netted the winning goal in the 88th minute, ensuring Prisons claimed all three points.
Prisons initially took the lead in the third minute through Beno Ngassa, but Mashujaa equalized in the 28th minute with a penalty converted by Seif Karihe.
