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Simba SC prove too strong for hapless Ihefu FC – again

Simba striker Jean Baleke (right) beats Ihefu FC defender Nicholas Wadada during their NBC Premier League match at the Highland Estate ground in Mbeya yesterday. Simba won 2-0. PHOTO | COURTESY

By  The Citizen Reporter

Media/news company

Mwananchi Communications Limited

What you need to know:

  • The victory took the Msimbazi Street club to 60 points from 24 matches and they continue to chase their traditional rivals, Young Africans, who lead with 65 points from 24 matches

Mbeya. Two goals scored by Jean Baleke were enough for Simba to outshine Ihefu FC at the Highland Estate ground in the NBC Premier League yesterday.

Baleke scored the first goal in the 84th minute before adding the second three minutes later after he was put in the clear by Kibu Dennis.

The victory took the Msimbazi Street club to 60 points from 24 matches and they continue to chase their traditional rivals, Young Africans (Yanga), who lead with 65 points from 24 matches.

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Ihefu played well in the encounter, dominating the first half, but their strikers clear scoring opportunities. The man to be blamed is Yacouba Sogne, who missed two clear chances in the thrilling encounter.

Simba started the second half on a high note and dominated the encounter to the end.

The team’s assistant coach, Juma Mgunda, commended the players for their brilliant performance in the encounter.

The two teams met for the second time in three days yesterday after Simba crushed Ihefu 5-1 in the Azam Federation Cup in Dar es Salaam on Friday.

The league continues today whereby defending champions Yanga host Kagera Sugar at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam from 7pm.

The match is expected to be thrilling, and all teams target victory in order to improve their chances in the league standings. Yanga are now at the top of the league standings with 65 points from 24 matches, while Kagera Sugar are placed eighth with 32 points from 25 matches.

Yanga assistant head coach Cedric Kaze said they look to gain a good performance in the game and that he does not underestimate Kagera Sugar due to the fact that in the first match played in CCM Kirumba, Yanga won 1-0, a goal scored by Clement Mzinze on November 13 last year.  “I’m aware of the team’s performance as I watched their previous matches.

So, we have to be very tactical as they have a very aggressive squad.  My players are in top form, and I believe they will deliver the best. I know we are facing an uphill task due to the fact that Kegera are also searching for the best results,” said Kaze.

Kagera Sugar head coach Mecky Mexime said they are looking forward to defying the odds as they face one of the football giants in the league.  We are in the battle, and we need to be well-focused all the time as we need three points in order to improve our position in the league standings,” said Mexime.

He said his target is to take revenge on Yanga in the encounter while admitting that the match will be tough.

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