Tanzania: It’s All Over for Gutsy Simba

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Majuto Omary

3 April 2011

Simba’s hopes of advancing in the African Champions League went up in smoke after losing 3-2 to reigning champions DR Congo’s TP Mazembe in the return leg fixture at the National Stadium yesterday.

The home side tumbled 3-1 in Lubumbashi a fortnight ago, thus needing at least two clear goals to send the Congolese outfit packing.

Simba started the match briskly, sending a series of shock waves to TP Mazembe goal, but found themselves trailing in the 17th minute when Patou Kabangu opened the scoring.

Despite being pegged back early, the Msimbazi Street team refusedto back down, and midway through the first half Mussa Mgosi unleashed a ferocious drive that, however, was saved daringly by the TP Mazembe shot stopper.

TP Mazembe, the 2010 FIFA World Club Cup finalists, kept on enjoying a lion’s share of possession heading to the breather, but could not change the score sheet.After the recess, Simba looked the better side and missed a host of chances with Mgosi and Mbwana Samata being the culprits.

However, their determination paid off on the hour mark when TP Mazembe defender Pamhild Mihayo scored an own goal when attempting to make a clearance.Even before Simba celebrations had died down, TP Mazembe were on target again when Allain Kaluyikuta’s shot left goalie Juma Kaseja with no chance.

The visitors thought the match was done and dusted, but gutsy Simba equalisedin the 66thminute through Samata who was a thorn to TP Mazembe defenders.The Congolese giants, whodemonstrated why they are the champions, capitalised on every defensive blunder andsealed the victory through Kalutiya with 17 minutes left.

TP Mazembe advanced to the next round on 6-3 aggregate.

Line up:

Simba: Juma Kaseja, Salum Kanoni, Amir Maftah, Kelvin Yondani, Juma Nyoso, Jerry Santo, Mussa Mgosi, Patrick Ochan, Emmanuel Okwi, Mbwana Samata, Juma Jabu.

TP Mazembe: Robert Kadiaba, Pamphile Mihayo, Jean Kasusula, Benza Bedi, Rainford Kalaba, Eric Nkulukuta, Patou Kabangu, Narcisse Ekanga, Allain Kaluyikuta, Stopila Sunzu, Deo Kanda

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