Tanzania: Simba Held As Ocean View Win

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Majuto Omary

26 June 2011

Dar es Salaam — Mainland giants Simba launched their 2011 Kagame Castle Cup campaign on a low note yesterday as Vital’O of Burundi forced them to a barren draw at the National Stadium.

The Msimbazi Reds, smarting after their dismal show in the CAF Champions League, fluffed a number of easy chances, especially in the second half, the main culprit being striker Mussa Hassan Mgosi.

Mgosi, the team’s regular goal scorer, had a disappointing afternoon. It came as no surprise when coach Moses Basena rested him in the second half in favour of new signing Rajab Isihaka.

Vital’O made a bright start and ought to have gone one up two minutes into the game when Stanley Minza dispossessed defender Juma Nyoso near the box, but his shot was bravely cleared by goalkeeper Juma Kaseja.

As expected, Simba reacted quickly and called goalkeeper Nzokira Jeff in action three minutes later to clear a close-range shot by Amir Maftah.

Kaseja, who had a busy afternoon, denied Vital’O a goal in the 29th minute when he dived full length to parry off sizzling a Nzigamasabo Steve volley for an abortive corner.

Earlier, Zanzibar’s Ocean View sounded a warning note to their next Kagame Castle Cup opponents after they hit Rwandan giants Etincelles 3-2 in another Group A match at the same venue.

It took Ocean View just two minutes to break the stalemate through Sabri Ramadhan, whose close range shot went straight into the back of the net.

Muhire Clageer equalised for Etincelles after 23 minutes before Ocean View regained their lead in the 31st minute through Suleiman Haji.

The Rwanda team levelled matter again in the 44th minute. The end-to-end match seemed destined for a draw until five minutes to time when Ramadhan came into the picture again to score the match-winner for the Isles team.

Teams: Simba- Juma Kaseja, Said Nassoro, Amir Maftah, Walulywa Derrick, Jerry Santo, Mohammed Banka, Salum Machaku, Mussa Hassan Mgosi, Haruna Moshi and Ulimboka Mwakingwe. Vital’O- Nzokira Jeff, Jaffar Jumapili, Ndayishimlye Frank, Kaze Gilbert, Nkurunzinza Damour, Nkundwana Bake, Cadeau, Nzigamasabo Steve, Ally Mousa, Tambwe Hamiss and Minzi Stanley.

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