Barker disappointed after Simba drop lead in Yanga draw

Simba SC head coach Steve Barker admitted he was left frustrated after his side gave away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against rivals Young Africans in their Mainland Premier League Kariakoo derby on Sunday.

The Reds raced into a 2-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the derby. Libase Gueye scored the opener with only three minutes played before Clatous Chama scored the second in the 10th minute.

 

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However, Prince Dube started Yanga’s comeback in the 17th minute but Simba went into the half-time break leading 2-1. Bakari Mwamnyeto ensured that derby points were shared after he scored for Yanga in the 50th minute.

Simba wanted to put pressure on Yanga

“I think obviously we are disappointed because it is a game that we knew we had to win to apply pressure at the top of the table, so, all we intended to achieve we fell a little bit short,” said Barker after the game.

“I thought obviously we started the game really well, with a lot of intensity, a lot of pressure, we did well in the middle third, which led to a two-goal advantage, and I felt we just sat back once we got the second goal.

“Yanga had a good response, but we should have been a little bit more brave in terms of continuing the way we started the game. So, they got the one goal back, but we went into half time leading, which we wanted.”

Barker added: “Second half became a really open transitional game, they looked dangerous on transitional, and they got the equalizer and ended the game at 2-2 but I think we finished stronger than them.”

He concluded: “We just feel a little bit disappointed having a 2-0 lead and not seeing it through and going ahead to get the three points.”

Simba still in the title race

On whether Simba are out of the title race following the draw, Barker responded: “There are still a lot of games, so we are going to keep playing game by game and getting maximum points.

“If we can do that and keep the pressure on Yanga, you know, can’t they keep winning, I am not sure.

“We are still in it, five points can change in one week, so, we need to make sure we keep consistency in our results, concentrate on our games, win our games, and we know hopefully Yanga drop points, and the title race can go to the wire.”

The draw saw Yanga stay top with five points ahead of Simba, who are sitting second in the 16-team league table.