Kichuya’s magic haunts Yanga

Shiza Kichuya came in the last 38 minutes to haunt holders Young Africans in a 2-1 win for ten-man Simba in a breathtaking Mainland Premier League at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam today. 

The magician left footer set up an equaliser for Laudit Mavugo and scored a winner. Simon Msuva scored a first half penalty to put Yanga ahead.

Simba played the last 35 minutes with a man down, after Congolese defender, Janvier Basala Bokungu, was shown a red card by referee Mathew Akrama, for fouling Zambian striker, Obrey Chirwa in the box.

But still, they came from a goal down to win the bragging rights as Yanga lost ground in the title race. Following their victory , Simba have opened a five-point gap at the top-of-the-table on 54 points after playing 23 matches, while Yanga remained second on 49 points from 22 games.

It was a tale of two halves for both sides. Simba produced an uninspiring performance in the first 45 opening minutes but produced a motivated performance in the second half as Yanga were poor and muted in the second half compared to their brilliant performance in the first half.

Immediately after the kick off, Yanga were on front foot, with their strikers unsettling Simba defenders.

Just four minutes into the game, Novart Lufunga fouled goal bound Chirwa in the box and referee Akrama pointed to the spot.

Lufunga was left cursing himself because it was an easy ball for him to clear but the defender fumbled only to allow Chirwa to round him off.

Simon Msuva stepped up and expertly put the ball at the far left of goalkeeper Daniel Agyei.

It was Msuva’s 11th goal of the season and remained top of the scoring chart.

After conceding an early goal, Simba defence looked unsettled.

The goal gave Yanga an upper hand as they took control of the game, while Simba were the second best in the first 15 opening exchanges.

And Simba fans must have feared a repeat of the back to back 2-0 drubbing Yanga gave the Msimbazi Reds last season but it was not as good as it got from Yanga.

Simba started gaining confidence and throwing bodies upfront.

In the 21st minute, Zimbabwean midfielder, Thaban Kamusoko’s deep ball in the box found Chirwa in space but the Zambian failed to make the most out of the chance.

Yanga continued with their forays up front looking deadly whenever they crossed the central line.

In the 25th minute, Kamusoko was presented with a clear chance to shoot, but he released a feeble shot that was easily collected by the Ghanaian custodian.

After an inspiring performance Simba coach Cameroonian Joseph Omog, was forced to make early change in the 27th minute, with Juma Luizio replaced by Said Ndemla.

It was a move to try to win midfield battle and almost immediately, Ndemla presence was felt as Simba stepped up the gear.

In the 29th minute Mavugo surprised everyone with a bizarre miss.

A brilliant cross from Ibrahim Ajib found him in space but with time and space to select where to place the ball, the Burundian headed wide, with keeper Deogratius Munishi well beaten.

In the 35th minute keeper Munishi stayed with the ball for over six seconds and referee awarded Simba a free kick inside the box but Ndemla shot agonizingly wide.

Five minutes later, Mohammed Ibrahim turned swiftly and took a powerful shot but keeper Munishi brilliantly collected the ball.

Simba were now seeing more of possession. A minute later Kamusoko drove a shot that narrowly missed the target.

Simba won a set piece at the edge of the box a minute before the interval but Ajib’s shot was blocked. Said Juma Makapu replaced injured Kamusoko few seconds before half time.

Kamusoko departure and the introduction of Ndemla gave Simba much more lifeline in the second half.

A minute after the restart, Ajib outpaced Juma Abdul on the left but his final ball could not find his teammates in the box.

Match winner Kichuya was introduced in the 52nd minute, for ‘unlucky’ Lufunga.

However, it was Yanga who had the laugh in the 55th minute when Bokungu was shown straight red for bundling down Chirwa at the edge of the box.

Two minutes later Simba introduced skipper Jonas Mkude for Mohammed Ibrahim to steady the ship. Simba calmed nerves and in the 66th minute Mavugo pulled level, finishing off a cross by Shiza Kichuya.

It was seventh goal of the campaign for Mavugo and the Burundian has now scored a goal in the past four matches for Simba in all competitions.

It all started from Ndemla, who was brilliant at the pack of the midfield.

The substitute beat his marker and set up Kichuya and the former Mtibwa Sugar winger picked Mavugo at the far post.

The Burundian made amends form his first half mistakes, leaving his marker, Juma Abdul flatfooted and headed past Munishi.

Yanga called off Zambian midfielder Justine Zulu for Juma Mahadhi but it was Simba who stole the win with nine minutes to go, when Kichuya stunningly beat off positioned keeper for his 10th goal of the campaign.

Kichuya displayed a wonderful turn of foot to elude Andrew Vincent after taking Ndemla’s pass before rifling the ball into the far corner of the net leaving off positioned keeper stunned. 

It was an exception goal from exceptional Kichuya, who scored a brilliant equaliser when the two teams faced off in the first round match.

With five minutes to go, Mavugo eluded four defenders but his shot came off the right bar.