While Young Africans laboured to pull an equaliser through Abdi Kassim’s power-packed shot after 73 minutes in Morogoro against Mtibwa Sugar, Mussa Hassan’s double against Ruvu Shooting took Simba to their third back-to-back victory in the Mainland premiership tie played in Mwanza yesterday.
Mtibwa Sugar under Kenyan coach Tom Olaba were the first to shock Yanga after 34 minutes through Obadia Mungusa’s glancing header off Yusuf Nguya’s floating cross.
Mtibwa maintained the lone goal lead up to half time mark as Yanga weighed the possibilities of going level.
Yanga’s Serbian coach Kostadin Papic introduced Idd Mbaga for Geoffrey Boniface eight minutes into the second half.
Twenty minutes later Yanga salvaged the crucial equaliser through Abdi Kassim’s power-packed blockbuster that sailed straight into the net leaving custodian Shaaban Kado flat footed.
Yanga’s coach Kostadin Papic said his players failed to utilise opportunities that came their way as Olaba thanked his players for holding the visitors.
In Mwanza Simba took the lead through Musa Hassan’s sixth minute free kick before Mashaka Maliwa equalised after 19 minutes.
Ruvu’s celebrations were short-lived when Mgosi was on target just a minute after the equaliser to restore Simba’s lead and wrap up the victory.
Mgosi would have realised the first hat-trick of the league had he converted a penalty after 51 minutes as Ruvu Shooting escaped the third goal.
Simba’s victory has taken them to nine points at the top of the standings table, still with unbeaten run.
In Bukoba old is gold as Gaudence Mwaikimba who crossed over from relegated Prisons FC earned Kagera Sugar an 84th minute winning goal to shock visiting Azam FC at the Kaitaba Stadium.
This is the second defeat to be conceded by Azam in the ongoing premiership after their last week’s loss to Simba in Tanga.
