SportPesa Cup: Simba settle for bronze at 2019 Sportpesa Cup

Simba SC players celebrate after beating Kariobangi sharks on penalty shot out during the sportpesa super cup at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on June 4,2018.Photo:Kipsang Joseph/Standard

Tanzania's football giants Simba needed post-match penalties to redeem their image winning bronze in the 2019 Sportspesa Cup in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Simba and Mbao fought gallantly in the entire 90 minutes but could not break the deadlock and when it came to the penalties, Simba were 5-3 winners.

Simba did not give Mbao time to settle after kick off and put them in a tight corner in the opening 10 minutes.

Meddie Kagere, Hassan Dilunga and Sadney Urikhob were a constant threat to Mbao's defence manned by Vincent Philipo and Amos Charles.

On numerous times, Mbao's goalkeeper Metacha Mnata was called to duty as he parried away several threats.

Mbao's time of redemption came in the 13th minute when Ibrahim Hashimu sneaked from two defenders to toss the ball to diminutive Raphael Same whose orthodox kick shot missed the target.

The match remained balanced as both teams headed for water break after 25 minutes of play.

The heat was too much for Mbao as Kagere and Jonas Mkude pressurised Mbao's defence forcing for several unfruitful corner kicks.

[Ernest Ndunda]