Simba, Singida FG face off in Mapinduzi Cup semis match
Simba defensive midfielder Sadio Kanoute (second left) vies for the ball against Singida Fountain Gate FC defender Joash Onyango during the past Mapinduzi Cup group stage match at the new Amaan Complex in Zanzibar. Simba won 2-0. Photo | courtesy
What you need to know:
- This is the sixth match for Simba and Singida FG in history and records show that Simba have registered four wins, two in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League, one in the Community Shield and another in the Mapinduzi Cup
Dar es Salaam. Football giants Simba SC play a crucial match today against Singida Fountain Gate FC in their bid to qualify for the finals of the 2024 Mapinduzi Cup.
This is the sixth match for Simba and Singida Fountain Gate in history. Records show that Simba have registered four wins, two in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League, one in last season’s Community Shield in Tanga, where the Msimbazi Street giants won 4-2 on penalties after a barren draw in regulation time at the Mkwakwani Stadium.
In the 2023 Mainland Tanzania Premier League, Simba won two matches as in the first leg on February 3 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam they won 3-1 and in the return leg they won 2-1 at the Liti Stadium in Singida.
The two teams also recorded a 1-1 draw in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League in the match played on November 9, 2022, at the Liti Stadium, where Singida Fountain Gate FC’s goal was scored by Deus Kaseke before Peter Banda equalized for the Reds.
In the ongoing Mapinduzi Cup, Simba won 2-0 over Singida FG in the group stage match played on January 3.
Singida FG head coach Thabo Senong said his players are in good shape ahead of the game, and their goal is to perform at their best against Simba. "We are aware that it is not going to be a walk in the park. I have the best players, just like Simba, but my men are determined to record a win tomorrow (today),” said Senong.
He said they have rectified all the mistakes they made in the first match and believe his players will do their best.
“We know why we lost in the first match and now we have rectified the mistakes. We know Simba’s strength and weaknesses; we hope our assessment will take us to the final of the competition,” he said.
Simba SC assistant coach Seleman Matola said he is confident that his team will shine in the encounter despite facing an uphill task. He said all his players know the importance of the match and are targeting victory.
“It is going to be a very tough game, as we know Singida FG target to take revenge on us. We will have to be very keen throughout the time, as our mission and vision are to eliminate them and book space in the final,” said Matola.
