Simba drop crucial points in 2-2 draw against Azam
Dar es Salaam. The match between Simba and Azam, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Monday this week, was highly competitive, featuring various tactical and technical strategies.
Both teams displayed strong attacking and defensive abilities, with turnovers and counter-attacks playing a crucial role in the final outcome.
Azam took the lead early, scoring in the first minute through Gibril Silla.
This goal resulted from Simba losing possession in a dangerous area, allowing Azam to capitalize quickly and take advantage of the opportunity.
It was a clear demonstration of how dangerous it can be to lose the ball in critical areas.
After conceding, Simba regrouped and applied their pressing and counter-pressing strategy to force Azam into making passing mistakes.
Their efforts paid off in the 26th minute when Elie Mpanzu equalized after receiving a well-timed pass from Kibu Denis, who did excellent work in setting up the goal.
Simba continued playing at a high tempo, pressing Azam’s defenders and midfielders aggressively to prevent them from building attacks comfortably. On the other hand, Azam attempted to move the ball quickly to their wingers, but they struggled due to Simba’s relentless pressing.
The second half began with Simba pushing forward with even more intensity.
Their attacking approach paid off in the 57th minute when Abdulrazak Hamza scored second goal.
Despite trailing, Azam did not give up.
They adjusted their strategy by strengthening their midfield and distributing the ball quickly to their wide players.
Their plan of drawing Simba into pressing and then exploiting space on the wings started working, although their finishing needed improvement.
In the 88th minute, Zidane Sereri scored the equalizer for Azam.
This goal reflected Azam’s ability to exploit gaps and react quickly before Simba could regain their defensive shape.
This result puts Simba in a challenging position in the title race, as they must win their game in hand against Dodoma Jiji to narrow the gap to one point behind league leaders Yanga, who sit at the top with 55 points.
For Azam, this draw is proof that they can compete with top teams, but it also highlights their challenge of dealing with opponents’ counter-attacks and high pressing.
The match also demonstrated the importance of ball possession and careful decision-making.
Both teams conceded goals after losing possession, showing how small mistakes can have significant consequences.
Simba excelled in pressing and counter-pressing, especially in the first half, but they struggled to prevent Azam from using their opportunities effectively in the final minutes of the game.
As for Azam, while they played with great discipline, they needed to be more composed in dealing with Simba’s pressing and avoiding unnecessary turnovers in critical areas.
Overall, the 2-2 draw reflects the balance of power between these two teams, with each side showcasing both strengths and weaknesses.
Both teams will need to make adjustments in their upcoming matches to improve their chances in the league standings.
