NBC Premier League: Simba and Azam held away from home

NBC Premier League top-3 clubs Simba SC and Azam FC encountered difficult challenges away from home on Thursday, with both teams forced to settle for a point each.

Simba were forced into an even duel with hosts TRA United (f.k.a. Tabora United) at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha. TRA were unlucky to not win after they had a goal ruled out close to the half hour mark.

 

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A large number of traveling Reds supporters could not urge their club to victory in the Tanzanian capital. The visitors were second best for stretches of the first half and could consider themselves lucky to be level when the halftime whistle arrived.

An improved effort from Simba came after the interval but a match-winning goal never arrived. Despite the introduction of attacking sparks Morice Abraham and Clatous Chama off the bench, the TRA United defense refused to budge.

It was a similar story at the Tanzanite Kwaraa Stadium in Babati, where Azam FC also failed to make progress in their pursuit of leaders Young Africans SC. Florent Ibengé’s team lacked the finishing touch in their own 0-0 draw at Mbeya City.

 

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Possessing one of the league’s strongest defenses, struggles with goal scoring have haunted the Ice Cream Makers and Thursday featured a good example. A combination of domestic anchors like goalkeeper Aishi Manula and defensive midfielder Himid Mao Mkami along with Ghanaian midfielder Jerry Akaminko and Colombian defender Yeison Mendoza held the clean sheet easily.

But with star attackers Iddy Nado and Feisal Salum unavailable, Azam lacked punch in the attack and now they trail Young Africans by ten points in third place. Simba are eight points back in second place and have not made the most of their games in hand on rivals Yanga.

Both teams will move on to cup fixtures over the weekend, where they will face fellow NBC Premier League clubs. Azam will host Fountain Gate while Simba host Dodoma Jiji in the Round of 16 stage of the CRDB Bank Federation Cup.

Updated NBC Premier League table

 

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