Simba shine against Coastal as Ngoma misses league opener

Dar es Salaam. One of Tanzania's football giants, Simba have secured third place in the 2024 Community Shield following a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Coastal Union at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The victory was a much-needed boost for Simba after their recent defeat in the semifinals, demonstrating their resilience and determination to bounce back.

Simba’s goal was scored in the 11th minute through attacking midfielder Salehe Karabaka following good pass from Ugandan striker Steven Mukwala.

Karabaka’s precise finish left Coastal Union goalkeeper Chuma Ramadhani with no chance, securing the lead for Simba.

The early strike set the tone for a match characterized by solid defensive play and tactical adjustments.

Coastal Union, under the guidance of Kenyan coach David Ouma, created two clear opportunities to equalize but failed to convert these chances into goals.

Despite the missed opportunities, Coastal Union displayed a determined effort to get back into the game.

Ouma adjusted his tactics after falling behind, instructing his team to press higher up the pitch in an attempt to find the equalizer.

However, Simba’s defense, led by goalkeeper Moussa Camara, stood firm and successfully repelled all of Coastal Union’s attacks, maintaining their narrow lead.

Simba’s head coach, Fadlu Davids, made several strategic changes to the squad following their loss to Yanga in the semifinals.

Resting four key players, Davids introduced fresh legs into the starting lineup, which proved effective as Simba played fluid and cohesive football, particularly in the first half.

The changes brought a new dynamic to the team, allowing them to control the tempo of the match and limit Coastal Union’s attacking threats.

The match, however, was not without controversy.

In the 80th minute, Simba’s DR Congo midfielder, Fabrice Ngoma, was shown a red card following a foul on Coastal Union striker Mbaraka Yusuph, who was on his way to score.

Ngoma's dismissal reduced Simba to 10 men for the final minutes of the game, adding pressure to their defense.

 As a result of the red card, Ngoma is set to miss Simba’s upcoming Mainland Tanzania Premier League match against Tabora United.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Simba managed to hold onto their lead, thanks to disciplined defending and a strong performance from their backline.

Simba’s coach, Fadlu commended his players for victory while insisting the need for improvement in certain areas.

“We had some injuries after our match against Yanga, which forced me to change the lineup.

Fortunately, my players performed well despite failing to capitalize on some scoring chances and making errors that gave our opponents an advantage,” said Fadlu.

He stressed the importance of consistency in the team’s performance, stating, “My main focus is to make the club win consistently, not just one match.

For instance, if we had utilized the first-half chances we created, we would have won by a larger margin. My players need to be determined and convert all clear scoring opportunities.”

On the other hand, Coastal Union’s coach, Ouma, reflected on the match as a learning experience for his team.