Simba face Singida Utd hurdle in FA Cup

WOUNDED Simba SC will be back in action today taking on Singida United in the FA Cup encounter at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Still licking the wounds following their 2-0 defeat over the archrivals Young Africans in the Mainland Premier League match last weekend, Simba will certainly go full throttle to appease their disappointed fans.

However, it will be a tricky assignment against Singida United which has been promoted in the First Division League (FDL) next season. Simba’s head coach Ugandan Jackson Mayanja, is not underestimating their opponents and he is taking the match seriously.

The tactician has promised to feature his first team as he targets to win the tournament to earn CAF Confederation Cup spot next season. On his side, Singida United coach Fulgence Novatus predicted a tough encounter.

However, he said his team is ready to take the challenge against one of the country’s soccer giants. “Our mission is to stun them at their own backyard and win a spot into the last eight of the tournament,” he said.

Apart from Simba and Singida United match two other venues will be hosting FA Cup fixture, in which Azam FC will be in Moshi town to face Panone FC at the Ushirika Stadium, while Toto Africans will host their neighbour’s Geita Gold at the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.

In another development, Tanzania Prisons cruised into the quarter finals of the FA Cup, after securing a 2-1 victory over Mbeya City in the Mbeya derby clash held at the swamped Sokoine Memorial Stadium.

Prisons took the lead in the 38th minute through Mohamed Mkopi, who connected home a foul from the left wing to give his side 1-0 lead until the breather.

However, their opponents levelled the matter two minutes after resumption through Joseph Mahundi, who connected a well calculated pass from Haruna Moshi in the penalty box.

Salum Mayanga’s side guaranteed themselves a ticket to the quarter finals with a freak goal.

With only seven minutes remaining, goalkeeper Hanington Kalyesabula slightly came off his goal line and an otherwise long ball into the area from Prisons halfway, bounced off to beat the keeper for the second goal. Tanzania Prisons join Yanga, Coastal Union, Mwadui FC and Ndanda FC in the quarter finals and are waiting for today’s results to know their opponents.