Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA’s biggest clubs were all held in midweek Mainland Premier League action, as Simba SC and Azam FC settled for draws yesterday, extending a run of stalemates that also saw Young Africans drop points on Wednesday.
Simba were forced to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw against Pamba Jiji at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza, while Azam were frustrated in a goalless stalemate by Mashujaa in Kigoma.
The results follow Young Africans’ 0-0 draw against tenman TRA United in Arusha on Wednesday, completing a rare off-day for the Dar es Salaam heavyweights.
The outcomes leave Azam second on 28 points from 15 matches, level with Simba— who sit third on goal difference having played two games fewer.
Pamba Jiji move to fifth place with 25 points from 16 matches, while Mashujaa are 11th with 19 points. It was a nail-biting clash between Simba and Pamba Jiji FC, with both goals coming in the first half.
Anicet Oura broke the deadlock for Simba before James Mwashinga restored parity for the hosts. Simba dominated possession in a tense encounter, but Pamba Jiji FC stayed disciplined, often first to react when it mattered.
Simba probed patiently, working the ball wide and delivering crosses in search of an opening, yet Pamba Jiji’s defensive line held firm.
They were not confined to their own half either, breaking forward on occasion, only for Simba’s back line to deal with the threat.
The first real chance fell in the 15th minute. Elie Mpanzu met Libasse Gueye’s cross with a header, but Pamba Jiji goalkeeper Yona Amosi reacted well to save it Simba’s pressure paid off in the 34th minute.
Anicet Oura found space in the box and finished from close range after a low delivery from Mpanzu. The lead lasted only three minutes.
James Mwashinga struck a free-kick cleanly, the ball rising and beating Simba SC goalie, Mahamadou Kassali to level the match.
The sides went into the break at 1–1, and the tempo increased after the restart. Simba began to test their luck from distance, with Gueye attempting to score in the 61st minute after a low drive from range, but was denied by Pamba Jiji’s goalkeeper, Amos.
Two minutes later, Oura tried again from outside the area after a neat pass from Clatous Chama, but Amosi was equal to the effort once more.
As Simba pushed forward, gaps began to open at the back. Pamba Jiji nearly capitalised in the 65th minute when Peter Lwasa broke clear down the left, but Tanja produced a crucial one-on-one save to keep the scores level.
In Kigoma, Azam struggled to break down a resolute Mashujaa side, settling for a point in a match of few clear chances.
Across the fixtures, the results underline a tightening title race, with the league’s top sides showing rare vulnerability as the season gathers pace.
