Simba strengthen grip on premier league lead with victory over JKT
What you need to know:
- Speaking after the match, Simba’s head coach, Fadlu Davids, praised his players for their fighting spirit, which secured the vital three points.
Dar es Salaam. A goal by Jean Charles Ahoua against JKT Tanzania was enough for Simba to maintain their dominance at the top of the Mainland Tanzania Premier League standings with 37 points from 14 matches.
Ahoua, who came on as a substitute for Awesu Awesu in the second half, converted a penalty that left JKT Tanzania goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman helpless, bringing joy to Simba’s fans at the KMC Complex today on December 24, 2024.
The goal marked Ahoua’s seventh in the league. The penalty was awarded to Simba after JKT Tanzania defender Mohamed Bakari fouled Shomari Kapombe in the danger zone.
Referee Kefa Kayombo from the Mbeya region did not hesitate to award Simba a spot kick.
Bakari, who was already on a yellow card, received a second booking and was subsequently sent off for the foul play.
Speaking after the match, Simba’s head coach, Fadlu Davids, praised his players for their fighting spirit, which secured the vital three points.
“It was not easy at all, and we didn’t have enough time to prepare after playing against Kagera Sugar. All in all, we managed to get the job done and maintain our winning streak,” said Fadlu.
JKT Tanzania’s head coach, Hamad Ally, commended his players for their solid performance despite the loss.
“We didn’t have enough time to prepare for this match. After playing against Namungo FC, we had only one day to prepare. We were aware of Simba’s offensive strength, and we managed to contain them as they relied on wingers to attack.
“It’s not the result we wanted, as we were targeting either three points or at least one. We’ll go back to the drawing board ahead of our upcoming matches,” said Hamad.
Earlier, Singida Black Stars capitalised on their home advantage at Liti Stadium, securing a 2-1 victory over KenGold FC.
The match saw Singida Black Stars forced into a comeback after trailing for 20 minutes.
KenGold took the lead in the 26th minute when Herbert Lukindo found the back of the net following a well-placed pass from Bilal Amin Abdi.
Singida Black Stars levelled the score early in the second half when Arthur Bada converted a setup by Elvis Rupia in the 46th minute. Rupia then sealed the win with a decisive goal in the 55th minute.
Rupia’s goal not only secured the victory but also strengthened his position at the top of the scoring chart, with eight goals to his name this season.
The win brought Singida Black Stars to 33 points from 15 matches, placing them in a three-way tie with Azam FC and Young Africans (Yanga).
Despite having identical point totals, the three teams are separated by goal difference. Yanga leads with a goal difference of 17, followed by Azam FC with 15 and Singida Black Stars with 12.
This victory reflects Singida Black Stars' resilience and determination as they continue to compete fiercely in the league.
