Three second half strikes from Ibrahim Hajib, Awadh Juma and Elius Maguri, eased Simba to an emphatic win at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, and the result helping the Reds cement their grip on third place with 32 points from 20 outings.
Goran Kopunovic?s men, beaten 2-0 by Mgambo JKT last time out, were determined to bounce back and stay in a touching distance with high-flying Young Africans and Azam FC in first and second place respectively.
Expectedly, the Msimbazi Street Reds went on the offensive from the first whistle and despite creating a host of scoring opportunities they had to wait until after the second half to break the deadlock.
Hajib drilled home from the spot kick in the 58th minute when substitute Awadhi Juma was pulled down inside the box by Ruvu Shooting defender Hamis Suleiman.
Hajib stepped up and expertly dispatched the penalty into the top corner for his sixth goal of the season.
Juma, who vastly improved Simba?s striking force after replacing Abdi Banda, doubled his side?s lead with a brilliant shot from 20 yards that took a slight deflection from a Shooting defender as it sailed past helpless Abdallah Rashid in Shooting?s goal.
Elius Maguri, who came on to replace Ugandan striker Emmanuel Okwi deep in the second half, wrapped up the score with the third goal after slamming home a rebound when Rashid palmed Said Ndemla?s stunning shot back into play, allowing the muscular striker to score from a close range.
Simba assistant head coach, speaking shortly before kick-off, said his team was set to play an offensive, freeflowing football as they were determined to correct their mistake from the soul-searching at Mgambo Shooting.
And true to his words, the Reds dominated the midfield using their midfield trios, Jonas Mkude, Abdi Banda and Said Ndemla but somehow lacked the cutting edge as they passed a host of scoring chances in the futile first half.
Hajib wasted an opportunity barely a minute into the game after receiving a brilliant through ball from Ndemla and Okwi squandered two chances in the following two minutes.
Simba saw another chance go begging in the 7th minute when Ndemla set up Hajib but the latter could not have proper contact with the ball with the goal at his mercy and Ruvu Shooting defence cleared the ball.
It was a one-way traffic in the opening exchanges but Simba?s profligacy in front of goal proved to be their main undoing. Okwi shot awkwardly wide from good position after 10 minutes and a minute later Shooting cleared from the line as Simba went closer to taking the lead.
Ruvu Shooting launched their first attack on note after 12 minutes with Juma Mpakala sending a powerful shot over the bar. At the other end Okwi and Hajib continued to pressurize Shooting defence without finding the way past Ali Madega and co and the first half ended goalless.
Shooting almost punished Simba?s wastefulness on resumption when Yahya Tumbe, set up by Mpakala, raced clear of the Reds defence but failed to hit the target with only goalkeeper Peter Manyika at his mercy.
Meanwhile, a solitary John Bocco striker earned holder Azam a vital 1-0 win against hosts Coastal Union at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga. Bocco notched the only goal of the match in the 31st minute after receiving Yahya Mudathir?s pass.
With the victory George Nsimbe?s Azam side moved to within one point of table topping Young Africans after reaching 36 points from 18 games.
Yanga have collected 37 points from 18 outings. Elsewhere, struggling Tanzania Prisons tasted a rare win after edging out Polisi Morogoro 1-0 at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.
Source Tanzania Daily News
