Federation Cup: Singida Black Stars stun Simba to set up final date with Yanga
- Andrew Olsson
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Simba SC are in serious danger of going another season without a trophy after the Reds fell to a 1-3 defeat to Singida Black Stars in the semifinals of Tanzania's Federation Cup on Saturday.
It was a disastrous outing for Simba who fell behind 2-0 inside the opening 35 minutes to Black Stars, a club that has been spending big to try and compete better with Simba and their rivals Young Africans. One of Black Stars' major signings, Ghanaian striker Jonathan Sowah, showed his class with a brilliant turn and finish in the 17th minute.
It only got worse for Simba who fell behind by two goals after goalkeeper Ally Salim was left stranded following a major gaffe. Guinean shot stopper Moussa Camara had come off only minutes earlier due to an apparent head injury and soon after Salim attempted to play the ball outside his penalty area but after coming under pressure, the Tanzania national team keeper passed right to Ghanaian Emmanuel Keyekeh and the former Samartex FC player lifted his shot into an empty net (video at the top).
Keyekeh added his second goal early in the second half and Black Stars had an insurmountable lead. Jean Charles Ahoua's excellent free kick pulled a goal back for Simba but that was all the Reds could muster at the Tanzanite Kwaraa Stadium as the hosts rolled to victory.
Black Stars will now face Young Africans in the final. For Simba, hope still remains of a league title in the NBC Premier League but they will have to overcome rivals Yanga when the teams meet on June 15 following the FIFA window. Simba trail by one point, making the upcoming edition of the Kariakoo Derby a title deciding clash that Simba must win.
