Simba SC 5-0 - Mtibwa Sugar: Wekundu wa Msimbazi win to close in on Yanga SC

Simba SC defeated Mtibwa Sugar 5-0 in a Mainland Premier League contest on Wednesday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to go second on the league table.

Simba are fresh from the Caf Champions League duties and have convincingly picked up three points against the Sugar Millers as their attention turns to the local games. Clatous Chama, Larry Bwalya, Meddie Kagere and Luis Miquissone scored the goals for the hosts.

Dominant Simba opened the score in the ninth minute when Chama struck to stun the Premier League strugglers. The goal enabled the Zambian international to make history by becoming the only player to hit double digits of goals and assists across all competitions this season.

Chama now has 11 goals and 11 assists from the 28 matches so far this season. Chama's international teammate Bwalya struck in the 19th minute to double Simba's lead.

Kagere added the third one when he struck with his weaker left foot to beat Abuutwalib Msherry in Mtibwa's goal as Simba went into the half-time break with a commanding 3-0 lead. The goal was his first since he found the back of the net in February in the league for the local giants. 

Kagere struck again in the 51st minute to take his tally to 11 goals this season. Although the former Gor Mahia striker has not been a regular starter for the Msimbazi club, he has now gone top of the scorers' chart, one goal ahead of Azam FC's Prince Dube.

Mtibwa Sugar head coach Soud Salim made a change in the 58th minute when he replaced George Makang'a with Juma Nyangi after he had introduced Awadh Salum for Baraka Majogoro as the second half began.

Miquissone, who had good outings during the Champions League games, especially against Al Ahly and AS Vita in Dar es Salaam, scored the fifth for the Msimbazi side in the 69th minute. 

The win takes Simba to second place - with 49 points - and have reduced the gap separating them and arch-rivals Yanga SC to just two points. Wekundu wa Msimbazi have three games in hand, though, as they were busy participating in the Champions League.

Mtibwa Sugar, with two draws and three losses in the last five games, will remain perched at position 15 as the season gets tougher each and every day for them. The Sugar Millers are just above Mbeya City, Ihefu FC and Mwadui FC, who are in the relegation zone.

Simba SC Starting XI: Aishi Manula, Shomari Kapombe, Pascal Wawa, Joash Onyango, Taddeo Lwanga, Erasto Nyoni, Clatous Chama, Meddie Kagere, Luis Miquissone, Larry Bwalya.

Subs: Beno Kakolanya, Kennedy Juma, Jonas Mkude, Hassan Dilunga, Chris Mugalu, John Bocco, Perfect Chikwende.

Mtibwa Sugar Starting XI: Abuutwalib Msherry, Hassan Kessy, Rashid Issa, Jamal Masenga, Goeffrey Luseke, Aboubakar Ame, Geoffrey Makang'a, Baraka Majogoro, Jaffari Kibaya, Ally Yusuph, Haruna Chanongo.

Subs: Razack Shekimweri, Kelvin Sabato, Dickson Mbeikya, Juma Ganambali, Nyangi, Awadh Juma, Ismail Mhesa, Riphat Msuya.