AfricaPress-Tanzania: SIMBA SC’s newly head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has heaped up praise on his players for the quality of football displayed in the Simba Super Cup’s final match against fivetime CAF Champions League winners, TP Mazembe at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday.
Simba held Congolese TP Mazembe to a scoreless draw that nevertheless, gave them the title after finishing top with four points in the friendly three-team first ever organised event aimed at bringing the trio preparations ahead of their respective CAF Champions League assignments.
Before playing Mazembe, Simba thumped Al-Hilal of Sudan 4-1 that gave the Mainland champions four points over the rest of the team after a barren draw.
Apart from emerging winners, Simba have proven that the winner takes it all after collecting top individual prizes for the players.
Rally Bwalya was awarded the tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP), Bernard Morrison collecting the top scorer award and Beno Kakolanya the best goal keeper after conceding only one goal.
Simba’s endeavour was to test and build the quality of its squad under their newly coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa, who took his first charge of the team after signing a deal a week ago.
Simba will face the African giants; Al Ahly, AS Vita and Al Merreikh in the CAF Champions’ League group stage.
Yesterday’s match saw either sides clearing, but missing clear chances, Clatous Chama should blame himself for missing targets more than twice.
Simba had a chance to pick an early victory in the first 45 minutes through their attacking midfielder Chama in the 26th and 36th minutes, respectively, but he did not utilise them properly.
Chris Mgalu got a chance to put his team ahead four minutes before the end of the first half, through a powerful header but his attempt was off target as it climbed on top of the bar.
The first half ended with a barren draw, with Simba appearing to have got more chances but they did not treat them fairly.
Simba returned to the pitch better than in the first half, attacking sharply. Chama was the first to launch an attack but his attempt hit the bar. Luis Miquissone was awarded 500,000/- for emerging man of the match.
Simba playing against the CAF Champions’ League teams was indeed the best chance for their preparations towards the forthcoming competitions, knowing that TP Mazembe squad has more experience and have the best record in the Champions’ League.
Prior to yesterday’s encounter TP Mazembe lost against Al Hilal by 2-1.
It was Moustapha Kouyate who scored the opening goal for Congolese in the 12th minute before Bongonga Vinny leveled at 30th and Mohamed Musa sealing the victory at 90th minute.
Simba clobbered Sudan’s giants Al Hilal 4-1 in the Super Cup opener at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam last Wednesday.
The best from Simba was attacking prowess against Al Hilal’s quality defending machinery with Ugandan import, Jamal Salim Magoola made the busiest player between the posts.
The match’s brightest boy was Bernard Morrison who netted a brace while other goals were scored by a Zimbabwean flying winger Perfect Chikwende and Larry Bwalya who played brilliantly at the middle of terrain.
Bwalya who was awarded 500,000/- as a man of the match said he was delighted with his and fellow players’ performance. “I am happy to win as we all played well,” said Bwalya in a post-match interview.
