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Dar es Salaam. Simba SC’s dream of winning the CRDB Federation Cup for the 2023/2024 season was shattered yesterday after they were eliminated on 6-5 penalty shootouts at the Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma.
The match was decided on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
This marks the second time for Simba to be eliminated from the competition by Mashujaa FC in history.
On December 26, 2018, Mashujaa FC, who were competing in the first division at the time (now the Championship), defeated Simba 3-2 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Mashujaa FC goalkeeper Eric Johora emerged as the hero of the match after saving penalties from Sadio Kanoute and Willy Essomba Onana.
Simba’s players who scored their penalties were Mohammed “Tshabalala” Hussein, Israel Mwenda, Fred Michael, Mzamiru Yassin, and Ladack Chasambi.
Mashujaa FC players who successfully converted their penalties were Samson Madeneke, Michael Masinda, Idrisa Stambuli, Adam Adam, Mpoki Mwakinyuke, and Baraka Mtui, while Zuberi Mtui missed.
So far, Simba have won the Community Shield only and their aspiration is to clinch the Mainland Tanzania Premier League title.
Currently, they sit third in the league standings with 45 points from 21 matches.
Their rivals, Young Africans (Yanga), lead the table with 52 points from 21 matches, while Azam FC follow closely in the second place with 47 points from 21 matches.
Positioned where they are, Simba must raise their game to secure the Mainland Tanzania title, which has been dominated by Yanga for two consecutive seasons.
Simba assistant coach Seleman Matola admitted to the defeat, attributing it to his players’ lack of concentration after missing many clear scoring chances.
“It is part of the game; I am disappointed with the result,” said Matola.
Mashujaa FC head coach Mohammed “Bares” Abdallah, commended his players for their outstanding performance in the encounter.
“We trained for it, and our mission has been accomplished. I commend my players,” said Bares.
Mashujaa FC began the encounter with a quick pace and launched several attacks through their strikers, Reliant Lusajo and Adam Adam, maintaining their tempo and securing their first goal in the fifth minute through Lusajo, who capitalised on a deflected ball from Che Malone after a well-taken corner kick by Mpoki Mwakinyuke.
Simba’s Fabrice Ngoma found himself one-on-one with Mashujaa goalkeeper Eric Johora, but his shot missed the target.
Two minutes later, Mashujaa goalkeeper Johora demonstrated a commendable skill by saving his team after a header from Babacar Sarr.
Mashujaa FC were reduced to 10 players in injury time following the second yellow card shown to their captain, Saidi Juma Makapu, for fouling Ntibazonkiza.
Earlier, Makapu had been booked for a foul on Clatous Chama by referee Hans Mabena from Tanga.
Simba equalized in the 51st minute through Freddy Michael, who capitalized on a well-set pass from Kibu Dennis.
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