Simba Sports club chances of featuring in next year’s continentals suffered a huge blow after failing to get three points at home against moneybags Azam. With the Msimbazi boys out of the Azam Federation sports tournament, they needed to win the league but now are just 7 points adrift leaders Yanga.

The Dar es Salaam giants today failed to capitalize on hoke ground advantage to reduce the gap between them and Yanga after a frustrating goalless draw in a match played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam

This results favourites Yanga who now lead the standings with a six point cushion heading into the last four matches.

The draw  sends Azam to 59 points while Simba remains on the third slot on 58 points.

The match which did not leave to its billing saw both teams play cautiously.

The second half was however different with Mwanza based referee Mathew Akira being forced to  take charge by speaking to both sets of players who had started playing a rough game.

Azam captain John Bocco  was a culprit for missed chances after he failed to connect after being on a one on one situation with Simba keeper on two occasions . also failing to utilize the chances was Simba’s Ugandan striker Hamis Kiiza.

In yesterday matches, Yanga came from behind to beat Toto Africans 1-2 in Mwanza while Mtibwa Sugar edged out Mbeya City 1-0 in Morogoro. In Mbeya, hosts Tanzania Prisons  were held to a 1-1  draw by visiting JKT Ruvu.

Two derbies were played on Saturday with the most crucial one between relegation threatened Coastal Union against African Sports ending in favor of the latter. The loss means Coastal Union may go down if they lose their next match.

In Shinyanga’s Kambarage stadium, Mwadui FC  beat town rivals Stand United  2-1  in pulsating match that drew a sizeable crowd.

Austin Oduor

talking African football