Photo Credit; Simba SC Tanzania
Kenyan record champions Gor Mahia suffered a 2-0 defeat against Tanzanian giants Simba SC in a friendly to celebrate Simba Day ahead of the new season at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday.
The Msimbazi Reds took a deserved lead as early as the sixth minute when Abdulrazack Mohamed Hamza found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Hamza’s goal came from a header following a free-kick cross.
Uganda forward Steven Mukwala added to the scoreline in the 48th minute, further solidifying Simba’s lead. Mukwala dribbled through Gor Mahia players before planting the ball into the net.
Gor Mahia’s new coach Charles Akonnor used the services of Harambee Stars defenders Sylvester Owino and Mike Kibwage, straight from featuring for the national team against Seychelles on Tuesday, while Alpha Onyango and Lewis Bandi dropped to the bench.
K’Ogalo official Sally Bolo defended the club’s performance despite defeat insting it is still work in progress.
“Every moment comes with a lesson and this journey is still a work in progress. We trust the process. What a show it was at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium; truly a contest worth every mile of the trip,” said Bolo.
New Gor Mahia signing Ebenezer Adu-Kwaw from Ghana came closest to scoring, but his shot was expertly saved by Simba’s debutant goalkeeper, Yakoub Suleiman.
Despite the late pressure from Gor Mahia, Simba’s defense held firm, to secure a clean sheet.
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