Simba Sports Club continued its impressive dominance at the top of the Tanzanian Premier League with a narrow 1-0 victory over JKT Tanzania on December 24, 2024. This match took place at the KMC Complex and saw substitute Jean Charle Ahoua secure the win with a stoppage-time penalty. The win not only granted Simba three points but also extended their league-winning streak to eight games, reinforcing their title ambitions.
The match began with palpable tension, as Simba, already first on the leaderboard, aimed to stretch its lead. Right from the kick-off, they launched their first attack within the 5th minute through Awesu Awesu, who earned a dangerous free kick. The resulting opportunity, created by Valentino Nouma's precise delivery, posed an early threat, but JKT Tanzania’s defense managed to hold their ground.
JKT’s goalkeeper, Yacoub Suleiman, remained busy throughout the first half, making several remarkable saves, including deflecting Leonel Ateba’s header just before the break. Despite Simba's relentless offensive strategy, they entered halftime without scoring, which was unusual for a team known for suffocative attacks.
After halftime, the match took on a more aggressive tone, with Simba seeking opportunities to break the deadlock. They pressed hard, and their persistence paid off dramatically late in the match. Late in the second half, JKT’s Mohamed Bakari fouled Simba defender Shomari Kapombe inside the penalty area, followed by another handball offense, earning Bakari his second yellow card, leading to his dismissal.
With the referee Kefa Kayombo pointing to the penalty spot, Ahoua stepped up with confidence, coolly converting the penalty kick past Suleiman, who dove the wrong way. This goal marked Ahoua’s seventh strike of the season and sent the Simba fans at the stadium erupting with joy. "It was not easy at all, and we didn’t have enough time to prepare after playing against Kagera Sugar. All in all, we managed to get the job done and maintain our winning streak," said Simba SC head coach, Fadlu Davids, reflecting on his team's performance.
Simba’s victory sees them sit atop the Premier League table with 37 points from 14 matches, holding a four-point advantage over second-placed Young Africans, who have 33 points from 13 matches. Both Azam FC and Singida Black Stars also sit tied at 33 points, maintaining pressure at the top as they vie for supremacy. JKT, on the other hand, were left disappointed after putting up a strong defensive performance but failing to secure any points. Hamad Ally, JKT’s head coach, acknowledged the challenge his team faced, remarking, "We didn’t have enough time to prepare for this match. It’s not the result we wanted, as we were targeting either three points or at least one. We’ll go back to the drawing board ahead of our upcoming matches."
The upcoming fixtures will see Simba facing off against Fountain Gate away on December 28 before they shift their focus to CAF Confederation Cup commitments early next year. The prospects of maintaining their top position look bright, especially with their key players showing remarkable form and cohesiveness on the field.
With this victory, Simba SC continues to solidify its reputation as the team to beat this season, powered by both their steadfast defense and relentless attack. Fans of Simba will be eager to see how their team carries this momentum through to the turn of the year.
