Baleke hat-trick retains Simba’s 100pc record
Congolese forward Jean Baleke scored a hat-trick as Tanzanian giants Simba SC kept their 100pc Premier League record, with a 3-0 thrashing of 10-man Coastal Union in Dar es Salaam.
The Tanga-based Coastal Union had to finish the match with 10 men after striker Haji Ugando was shown a straight red card after just 19 minutes.
The result sees Wekundu wa Msimbazi scale up to second in the standings with nine points, same as arch rivals and defending champions Yanga SC, who are only top because of goal difference.
Simba were dominant from the word go, against a side they hit for five when they last met at the same venue.
Baleke opened the scoring in the seventh minute after Simba turned over possession, Luis Miqquisone winning the ball and playing to Clatous Chama who fed the Congolese on a silver platter to plant home.
Coastal attempted to get back into the game with Seleman Bakari seeing his stinging shot saved by the keeper, a motivating build up giving them hope of getting something from the game.
But, just four minutes later, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Baleke scored his second with a simple tap in from Mohammed Hussein’s low cross.
Coastal’s day went from bad to worse when Uganda was shown red for a studs up tackle on Simba defender Hennock Inonga.
Simba used their numerical advantage well and five minutes to the break, Baleke completed his hattrick from the penalty spot after Saido Ntibanzokiza was fouled inside the box.
In the second half Simba dominated the game, with Coastal’s bid to put up a memorable comeback ending up with no success.
