Africa-Press – Tanzania. TEN men Mbeya City handed Simba their first defeat following their 1-0 win at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.
The loss was a double blow to Simba as it gave the league leaders Young Africans a huge leap towards the championship.
The hosts Mbeya City broke the deadlock in the 19th minute through Paul Nonga who tapped the ball inside the net past goalkeeper Aishi Manula.
The scorer capitalised on Henock Inonga’s defensive blunder.
The goal came from a long ball after Mbeya City cleared an attack in their goal and the ball found Frank Kobela who sent the ball to the scorer.
Nonga, a prolific scorer, charged inside the box and scored.
Despite going into the breather a goal down, Simba dominated the first half, but they failed to turn the chances they created into goals.
In the second minute, Chris Mugalu goal was disallowed for an offside.
Simba came knocking on Mbeya City’s goal and in the 26th and 41st minutes respectively when Mzamiru Yassin header went off target with goalkeeper Deogratius Munishi out of the goal and Kibu Dennis connected well Bernard Morrison’s cross but his header went a few inches off target.
The hosts also had few chances which came in the 4th minute through Juma Luizio who was in a good position to score but he shot off target.
In the 8th minute, Samson Madeleke made a long range attempt which was superbly saved by goalkeeper Manula who pushed it away for a corner kick
In the 43rd minute, the hosts Mbeya City got a major blow after their skipper Mpoki Mwakinyuke was sent out by referee Raphael Ikambi after a second yellow card.
The Mbeya City defender was punished for fouling Mugalu who was charging into the box.
In the resumption Simba brought in striker John Bocco who replaced Mzamiru Yassin after he sustained injury in the first half.
The sub nearly paid off in the 46th minute when Simba were awarded a spot kick after Mbeya City defender Kenneth Kunambi handed the ball inside the box in an effort to clear the ball.
However, Mugalu who stepped in to take the shot, failed to convert the penalty after his shot hit the post.
Seeing things were not going well on their side, Simba introduced in Pape Sakho and Meddie Kagere for Kibu Dennis and Jonas Mkude respectively and in the 70th minute they could have levelled the matter, but Munishi denied them with a good save.
Meanwhile, Simba who are also the defending champions of the Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC) will face Dar City FC in the round of 32 while their traditional archrivals Young Africans will battle it with Mbao.
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