Simba mark ‘big day’ in style

Dar es Salaam. Simba’s new signing Betram Mwombeki struck twice as the Msimbazi Reds came from behind to heat Uganda’s SC Villa 4-1 in an international friendly match at the National Stadium yesterday.

The thrilling match was part of the celebrations to mark Simba Day, an event used by the club to unveil their squad for the new season and award people who, in one way or another, have contributed immensely to the club’s success.

The match started at a cracking pace with both teams pressing upfront in turn in search of an early goal. Simba missed what could have been the match opener two minutes into the game when Ramadhan Chombo broke through, only to see his close range shot cleared by goalkeeper Elugat Martins.

After surviving the scare, Villa took the game to the hosts. They drew first blood in the eighth minute through Muganga Ronald off a cross by Sijar Jamal.

Simba regained their rhythm a few minutes later, fluffed another chance in the 20th minute when Haruna Chanongo, with only goalkeeper martins to beat, shot wide.

The hosts’ new signing Betram Mombeki was left scratching his chest in the 32nd minute when he brilliantly latched onto a pass by Issa Rashid, but his effort narrowly missed target. Jonas Mude cooled Simba fans’ nerves in the 44th minute when he capitalised on a goal mouth melee to unleash a sizzling shot that gave goalie Martins no chance.

On resumption, Simba head coach Abdallah “King” Kibadeni brought in Said Ndemla and William Lucian to replace Abdulhalim Humud and Ramadhan Chombo in efforts to enliven his striking force.

The move paid dividends as two minutes before the hour mark, substitute Lucian shot Simba fans into wild celebrations when he made it 2-1 for his team after he was set up by Issa Rashid.

In the 70th minute, Lucian turned provider as his shot was connected home by Betram Mwombeki to make it 3-1 for the hosts.

Celebrations that greeted the goal had hardly died down when Mwombeki came into the picture again off a neat pass by Nassoro Masoud.

The convincing victory came as a relief to Simba’s new coach Kibadeni who has endured a difficult opening few weeks in charge, with an indifferent set of results in their last three pre-season matches.

The Msimbazi Reds will launch their Premier League campaign against newly promoted Rhino Rangers of Tabora at Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium.

Line-ups: Simba- Abel Dhaira, Nassoro Masoud, Issa Rashid, Joseph Owino, Miraj Adam, Jonas Mkude, Ramadhan Chombo/William Lucian, Abdulhalim Humud/Said Ndemla, Betram Mwombeki, Amri Kiemba and Haruna Chanongo.

SC Villa- Elugat Martins, Kagwa Andrew, Baganza Henry, Kabanda Mike, Kisalita Ayoub, Kirabire Isaac, Ndaula Moses, Semboy Godfrey, Sijar Jamal, Muganga Ronald and Kayoya Emima.