Simba stun Yanga in Derby

Table leaders Simba shocked their biggest archrivals Yanga 2-1 in the Dar es Salaam derby on Saturday at the National Stadium to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points.

In-form forward Simon Msuva converted from the spot in the fifth minute after center referee Matthew Akrama awarded Yanga a penalty after Simba central defender Novat Lufunga brought down striker Obrey Chirwa in the penalty box.

The early goal gave Yanga confidence as they dominated possession thereafter and could have doubled their lead but for Chirwa’s header in the 19th minute to be picked up easily by Ghanaian goalkeeper Daniel Agyei.

Simba striker Laudit Mavugo could have equalized at the half hour but his header hit the side net much to the frustration of the red side of the stadium.

Four minutes later, Yanga goalkeeper Deogratius Munishi was penalized for picking up the ball with his hands after a back pass but the resulting freekick went over the crossbar.

Simba continued to pile pressure on Yanga and squandered a half opportunity when Mohamed Hussein got a chance from 25 yards but it went wide.

Yanga captain Haruna Niyonzima headed the ball towards Thabani Kamusoko who shot wide before the half time break that Simba clearly needed to re-strategize.

In the second half, Simba kicked off with such enthusiasm that saw them make two counterattacks in the first minute after the break.

However, Simba were undone by Janvier Bokungu was shown a straight red card after fouling Chirwa on the edge of the box in the 55th minute.

This is the third straight derby that Simba were reduced to 10 men, an advantage that Yanga did not exploit the last time out when they settled for a 1-all draw.

Simba coach Joseph Omog made a very ambitious change and introduced forward Shiza Kichuya for Lufunga as he looked to go forward and seek goals.

Omog's risk move paid off in the 66th minute when Mavugo got to the end of a fantastic pass from Kichuya to head past the hapless Munishi who had no chance at saving the goal.

Hereafter Simba played with such confidence that Yanga switched off and mistake after mistake was punished with a Simba counter attack troubling and exposing the Yanga defense.

This effort paid off in the 80th minute when Kichuya found the back of the net with an incredible strike to give Omog's side the lead as Simba showed character to bag all three points.

The win extends Simba's lead at the top of the Vodacom Premier League table standings to 54 points, five clear of Yanga who have a game in hand.

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