Azam, Simba fall, Yanga rise

 

PREMIER League leaders Simba suffered their first defeat of the season as African Lyon posted a surprise 1-0 win over Joseph Omog’s side, whilst defending champions Young Africans returned to winning ways with hard earned 1-0 over Prisons in Mbeya.

It was a weekend of mixed results for the league’s top guns, as stuttering Azam saw their recent resurgence halted at Mbao after crashing to 2-1 defeat against the league debutants at CCM Kirumba in Mwanza. 

 

Abdullah Msuhi scored a stoppage time winner as Lyon ended Simba’s unbeaten run at the Uhuru Stadium after producing an impressive defensive display.

Despite the loss, Simba remain on top of the log with 35 from 14 games, five points ahead of the second-placed Young Africans having played same number of games. Kagera Sugar leapfrogged Azam into third place after they registered a 3-1 win over Ruvu Shooting.

Simba, came into the Lyon game unbeaten, having won 11 games while posting two draws, were odds on to win against Lyon. And Omog’s men enjoyed lion’s share of possession throughout the encounter.

Lyon defended in numbers and kept Simba’s attackers at bay as the Reds regularly poured forward during the opening exchange. In fact, Lyon had the half’s best chances, twice denied by the woodwork.

Msuhi missed a glorious chance to put Lyon ahead in the 18th minute when he shot awkwardly wide from six yards. 

Simba had similar opportunity a minute later. Mavugo set up Method Mwanjali inside the box, but the Zimbabwean defender an unlikely presence inside the Lyon penalty box from an open play, shot straight at the waiting hands of goalkeeper Rostand Youthe. 

Miraji Adam, formerly with Simba hit the woodwork with a well struck free-kick after 39 minutes and the Reds were lucky as the ball bounced just outside the line.

Lyon went close again in the stroke of half time when Omary Abdallah’s shot from distance slipped into Angban’s hands before ricocheting off the crossbar. 

The second half followed similar pattern, with the league leaders keeping possession while Lyon were happy sitting behind and launch counter attack.

Ibrahim Ajibu replaced Mohamed Ibrahim in the 49th minute and Simba continued to press.Lyon defence marshalled by Isihaka Hassan was impenetrable. Mwinyi Kazimoto had a decent shot saved by Lyon keeper in the 69th minute before substitute Jamal Mnyate wasted a good chance to break the deadlock later on.

The league leaders committed many players forward and were made to pay for a lack of concentration at the back as Lyon scored the winner against the run of play in the stoppage time.

Young Africans produced a controlled display of patience and persistence as they moved to within five points of archrivals Simba with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Prisons at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya yesterday.

Smarting from a soul-searching 2-1 loss to Mbeya City at the same venue Yanga needed maximum points to get their campaign back on track. And Hans Van der Pluijm’s charges did just that thanks to Simon Msuva’s strike on the 74th minute.

Stuttering giants Azam suffered their fourth defeat of the season, losing 2-1 to Mbao FC at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza, and the Dar es Salaam giants had head coach, Zeben Hernandez sent off, reports ALEXANDER SANGA.

Venance Ludovick gave the hosts the lead after half an hour after being set up by Boniphace Maganga, who doubled Mbao’s lead in the 50th minute. Azam reduced the deficit in the 67th minute through Francesco Sekumbawira’s own goal.

Meanwhile, Kagera Sugar utilised home advantage as they gunned down Ruvu Shooting 3-1 at Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba, reports MEDDY MULISA.

Ruvu Shooting went for the breather a goal up courtesy of Said Dilunga’s 45th minute goal, but Kagera drew level in the 64th minute through Themi Felix.

 Selemani Magoma gave Kagera Sugar a 2-1 after 71 minutes and Mbaraka Yusuf wrapped up the win for Mecky Maxime’s boys.

Kagera Sugar have now collected 24 points from 14 matches.