Zambian forward Moses Phiri scored an 83rd minute winner as Tanzanian giants Simba SC bounced back top of the Premier League standings with a well worked 2-1 victory over big-spending Singida Big Stars in Lindi.
Deus Kaseke had equalized for Singida in the second half, cancelling out Saido Ntibanzokiza’s early opener, but the never say die Simba fought till the end to secure a vital win.
“It was a very tough match but we fought till the end. We never gave up and I want to congratulate my players for this performance,” Simba’s head coach Roberto Oliveira said after the match.
Simba had a good start to the match dominating possession from the word go, and they broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Burundian Saido struck a belter of a low shot from the edge of the box.
Dennis Kibu had made a daunting run on the right before laying it off for his teammate, who struck a well taken goal.
But, playing at home, Singida put in a shift to try and bounce back, but they couldn’t level before half time. However, seven minutes after the restart, they were level. Duke Abuya’s initial shot was saved by the keeper before Elvis Rupia picked the spills and pocketed for Kaseke to tap home from close range.
But, Simba’s never say die attitude lifted them off, and they scored the winner seven minutes from time when Phiri scored from inside the box after a well worked move by Wekundu wa Msimbazi.
The win sees Simba maintain their perfect start to the season with the fifth win in five games taking them to 15 points, two ahead of second placed Azam which is the only other unbeaten team in the Tanzanian Premier League.
