Simba SC’s newly appointed head coach, Steve Barker, started his reign with a 1-1 draw in his first NBC Premier League encounter against Mtibwa Sugar at the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium on Sunday, in a match that saw contrasting halves from both sides.
Simba entered the match with clear intent, dominating the opening stages as they searched for an early breakthrough.
The visitors pressed aggressively from the front, denying Mtibwa Sugar time and space to settle into their rhythm as they attempted to build play from the back.
Barker’s tactical approach was evident from the start, with Selemani Mwalimu, Mohamed Bajaber and Elie Mpanzu tasked with leading a high press.
Their movement and intensity caused problems for the Mtibwa Sugar defence, forcing hurried clearances and a lack of composure in possession.
The pressure allowed Simba to regain the ball quickly and push numbers forward.
Within the opening 10 minutes, Simba created two clear chances but failed to convert, a recurring issue that would later prove costly.
Simba’s promising start was disrupted in the 12th minute when Bajaber was forced off with a thigh injury.
His early exit brought Kibu Denis into the game, who made an immediate impact with his energy and link-up play.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 20th minute when Elie Mpanzu opened the scoring.
The Congolese midfielder calmly finished a well-worked move, tapping in a precise delivery from Shomari Kapombe after impressive build-up play involving Kibu on the right flank.
Simba continued to control proceedings for the remainder of the first half, recording nine shots, three of them on target.
In contrast, Mtibwa Sugar struggled to threaten, managing only three attempts, with just one testing Simba goalkeeper Hussein Abel.
Mtibwa Sugar showed greater intent after the break, returning for the second half with renewed energy and making two substitutions.
Ezekia Mwashilindi and Andrea Simchimba were withdrawn and replaced by Omary Marungu and George Chota in a bid to inject pace and creativity into their play.
The changes paid off almost immediately. Just six minutes into the second half, Mtibwa Sugar found the equaliser through Magata Charles.
The forward unleashed a powerful strike from distance that left Hussein Abel with no chance, shifting the momentum firmly in the home side’s favour.
Following the equaliser, Mtibwa Sugar grew in confidence and began to dictate the tempo, pressing Simba deeper into their own half and winning key battles in midfield.
In response, Barker made a double substitution in the 64th minute, withdrawing Selemani Mwalimu and Neo Maema and introducing Steven Mukwala and Morice Abraham in search of renewed attacking impetus.
Despite the changes, Simba struggled to regain their first-half dominance.
Mtibwa Sugar remained organised defensively and looked more dangerous going forward, coming closer to snatching a winner as the match progressed.
Both sides pushed for a late goal, but clear chances were limited in the closing stages, and the match eventually ended in a 1-1 draw.
The result sees Simba move to 13 points from six matches, leaving them fourth on the league table, while Mtibwa Sugar climb to 11 points and sit eighth, having earned a valuable point at home.
Simba SC starting XI: Hussein Abel, Shomari Kapombe, Anthony Mligo, Wilson Nangu, Rushine De Reucky, Yusuph Kagoma, Mohamed Bajaber, Naby Camara, Selemani Mwalimu, Neo Maema and Elie Mpanzu.
Mtibwa Sugar starting XI: Costantine Malimi, Datius Peter, Haroun Evod, Ezekia Mwashilindi, Said Mkopi, Chukwuemeka Collins, Twalibu Muhenga, Omary Manga, Kassim Shaibu, Andrea Simchimba and Magata Charles.
