Simba SC 1-1 Ruvu Shooting: Manula howler costs league leaders

Simba SC have restarted their bid to win their 21st Tanzania Mainland League title with a 1-1 draw against Ruvu Shooting at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Shiza Kichuya opened the scoring in favour of the hosts before Fully Zullu Maganga ensured the spoils were shared.

Having won their two friendly matches against Trans Camp and KMC 4-2 and 3-1 respectively, Wekundu wa Msimbazi came into the match as favourites owing to the momentum set.

Meddie Kagere was the only foreign player who started the game. Francis Kahata and Clatous Chama came late with Sharaf Shaiboub still in Sudan.

It did not take much time for the Sven Vandenbroeck-led charges to unleash their claws. With 12 minutes on the clock; Rwandan attacker Meddie Kagere was released on the right and crossed the ball into the danger zone.

Taifa Stars striker John Raphael Bocco could not manage to connect it but the ball, fortunately, fell to the onrushing Kichuya's path. His thunderous strike was saved by Mohamed Makaka in Ruvu goal, but the rebound was neatly converted by the attacker. 

It was the first goal of the season for the player.

Goalkeeper Aishi Manula made a gross mistake to hand the visitors an equalizer. Defender Erasto Nyoni conceded a corner in the 37th minute.

Abdallahman Musa took it well, the custodian got out of position and missed the ball and Maganga rose highest to score his eighth goal this season.

Despite intensifying the attacks after the break, the Msimbazi based side could not get the winning goal.

It was a massive improvement for the Ruvu based-side who lost the first meeting 3-0 but a blow to Simba who are targeting five more wins to be crowned champions.

Simba are now on 72 points after 29 matches; they have won 23, drawn three and lost as many matches. Ruvu Shooting remained in 11th position as well after collecting 40 points from 29 matches.

The administrative side has managed to collect 11 wins, seven draws and 11 losses.

On Saturday, Yanga SC defeated Mwadui by a solitary goal while Namungo threw a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Coastal Union.