Israel Saria
Police Players train at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza before their match with Simba.
Simba`s 30 matches unbeaten run in the Mainland league came to a shuddering halt when premiership new arrivals Police Dodoma chalked maximum points in the fourth round match played at the CCM Kirumba Stadium here, yesterday.
Pascal Maige’s second half goal after 78 minutes gave Simba fans a heartbreaking moment after their title retention bid was slightly tarnished.
Maige overlapped with unique dribbling skills on the right flank to outpace Amir Maftah before releasing a power-packed volley that sailed into the net through an acute angle leaving goalkeeper Ali Mustafa flat footed.
Simba retaliated with a series of attacks but the visitors from central Tanzania stood firm to safeguard their lone goal up to the final whistle.
Simba’s Zambian coach Patrick Phiri said his players threw overboard numerous scoring opportunities during the game.
He said Police Dodoma were lucky enough to win the match despite their infrequent attacks upfront.
The Simba-Police Dodoma match was the only premiership fixture for yesterday as African Lyon takes on Ruvu JKt in Morogoro’s Jamhuri Stadium today.
Simba’s defeat has placed them second in the standings ladder for the first time in 26 league matches including previous season’s fixtures.
This is Phiri’s second defeat in the premiership since talking over the team during the second half of the 2008/9 season.
The other loss came on March 14, 2009 when Mtibwa Sugar won at home by a lone goal in a rough-dominated match at the Jamhuri Stadium.
Yanga are on top of the standings after four rounds of play with ten points, one above their rivals, Simba.
Yanga have sighed with huge relief following their lone goal victory against Majimaji at the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro on Saturday.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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