Kagera Sugar became the first premiership side in the ongoing Mainland soccer league to claim a share of points with red-hot title contenders Simba, holding the visitors to a 1-1 draw in a nerve-jangling match played at the Kaitaba Stadium here, yesterday.
He hosts kicked off the match aggressively as Shija Mkina blew the opportunity to score for shooting wide, 12 minutes after the kick off.
He was responding to Simba’s strike by Jabir Aziz who also misfired to score as early as the second minute of the match.
Simba broke the deadlock after 56 minutes when Emmanuel Okwi’s glancing header sailed into the net past stunned custodian Amani Simba. Ramadhani Chombo played a crucial role in a build up towards the goal.
Kagera Sugar responded with a spot kick to draw level as Themi Felix beat custodian Juma Kaseja in the 71st minute as the home fans exploded into thunderous applause.
Fullback Juma Jabu had handed the ball in a frantic efforts to clear inside the box only for referee Idd Mbwana to point a spot kick.
George Mketo might have spent a sleepless night wondering how on earth he missed to score with five minutes left shooting over the cross bar with goalkeeper Kaseja well beaten.
This is Simba’s first match to drop points after successful title-bound campaign since August 23. However the team still lead the premiership with ten points over holders Young Africans.
The holders received the Bukoba news with huge relief as they won against Ruvu JKT at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam by a lone goal to intensify their hat-trick title retention bid.
Mrisho Ngasa wrapped up the victory for Yanga as early as the 45th second scoring the league’s fastest goal that dispatched the army men.
Hussein Bunu would have leveled the score after 30 minutes only to shoot wide with Serbian goalkeeper Obren Circovich at his mercy.
The other opportunity was thrown overboard by the JKT Ruvu striker Sosthenes Manyasi few minutes to half time mark.
Yanga suffered a blow when defender Amir Maftah was sent off for alleged abusive language against the referee as coach Kostadin Papic introduced Fred Mbuna at the rear.
Despite the hiccup, the holders hang on to the final minute to secure the much needed three points.
In Morogoro Majimaji held the hosts to a barren draw in a match that saw striker Sixmund Mwasekaga missing to score for Majimaji after 30 minutes.
Majimaji’s goalkeeper Said Mohamed was man of the match for thwarting a number of daring attacks during the encounter.
In Mwamza Toto Africa started premiership survival bid as they trounced visiting Manyema Rangers by 3-0 goals to attain ten points.
This is Toto’s second win since the league kicked off.
Line-ups:
Simba:
Juma Kaseja, Salum Kanoni, Juma Jabu, Kelvin Yondani, Joseph Owino, Jerry Santo, Ramadhan Chombo, Jabir Aziz, Musa Hassan, Emmanuel Okwi, and Mohamed Kijuso.
Kagera Sugar:
Amani Simba/Aswile Asukile, Martin Ruharara, David Charles, Said Mourad, Shaaban Ibrahim, George Kavilla, George Mketto, Haruna Athumani, Temi Felix, Shija Mkina, and Paul Ngwai.
Yanga:
Obren Circovich, Shadrack Nsajigwa, Bakari Mbegu, Nurdin, Geoffrey Bonny, Bakari, Mrisho Ngasa, Abdi Kassim, Jerry Tegete/Boniface Ambani, Kigi Makasi/ Fred Mbuna.
Ruvu JKT:
Jackson Chove, Kesi Mapande, Bakari Kondo, Sosthenes Manyasi, Damas Makwaya, George Minja, Moshi Kazimoto, Shaibu Nayopa, Stanley Nkomola, Hussein Bunu/Emma Pius, Greyson Haule/ Amos Mgisa.
