Yanga beat Simba to remain in VPL title race

Dar es Salaam. A goal scored yesterday by Zawadi Mauya was enough for Young Africans (Yanga) to stop Simba from being crowned the Mainland Tanzania Premier League title for the fourth time in a row during their premiership match held at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium yesterday.

Mauya scored in the 12th minute with a powerful shot just outside the danger zone from a rebound ball following Deus Kaseke’s corner in the encounter that was also attended by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

This is the second time for Simba to lose to Yanga. On March 8 last year, Simba lost in the same margin to Yanga in the encounter that was also attended by the late president, John Magufuli.

The victory means Yanga have now collected a total of 70 points from 32 matches and are still second in the league’s standings.

Simba are still at the top with 73 points from 30 matches they have played. Yanga dominated the first half in the encounter which was officiated by Arusha’s referee Emmanuel Mwandembwa.

Simba needed victory to clinch the title and now have to wait their next match against Coastal Union on July 11 at the same venue.

Yanga dominated the first half while Simba dominated the second half and failed to utilize many scoring chances. Simba made their first attempt in the 36th minute but John Bocco’s shot was saved by Yanga goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo.

Simba head coach Didier Gomes started the second half by manking changes that did not work.

Simba’s Ghanaian attacking midfileder Bernard Morrison was the man to blame in the game after he missed a clear scoring chance in the 52nd minute after he was set clear by Bocco.