Simba best in defence, Yanga in forward

WITH the Mainland Premier League taking over a month-long break, leaders Simba SC boast the best defence, with the meanest defence table, while their archrivals Young Africans boast the league’s best strike force.

he top flight league took a long break on Thursday, with a total of 241goals scored and Joseph Omog’s Simba team have been in superb form at the back, conceding six goals in 15 outings, averaging only 0.4 goals conceded per game.

Despite conceding three times in their last two league matches, the Msimbazi Street side is two better ahead of another illustrious team Young Africans, while Azam FC shipped in 14 goals.

Prior to their 1-0 loss to African Lyon and a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania Prisons, Simba had not let in a goal in their six matches, in which the outfit won all. During this run, Simba beat Mbeya City 2-0, Kagera Sugar 2-0, Mbao FC 1-0, Toto Africans 3-0, Mwadui FC 3-0 and a 1-0 win over Stand United.

The Msimbazi Street Boys have raked in 35 points from 11-match win, two draws and two defeats. Placed second on 33 points, defending champions Yanga, boast the league’s best strike force, having scored 31 goals from 15 games, an average of 2.44 goals per match.

In second place are table toppers Simba with the most potent attack with 26 goals out of 15 games, that’s 2.22 goals per game.

At the bottom of the table, Songea’s Majimajia have the worst defensive record in the division after letting in 23 goals in 15 matches at an average of 1.6 per match. Mwadui FC and Mbao FC follows with 21 and 20 goals conceded an average of 1.4 and 1.3 per game.

Simba’s attacking midfielder, Shiza Kichuya is leading the top scorers’ chart with nine goals. However, the former Mtibwa Sugar star failed to continue his scoring form on Sunday and Wednesday when his side lost back to back matches. He is closely followed by Yanga’s Burundian import Amissi Tambwe and Simon Msuva, who have each scored seven goals. The race to shrug off relegation has also been a fierce-run affair.

Most notables, however, are Majimaji and Mbao FC, who were the worst starters during the early stages of the league. Though not far from the danger zone, league debutants Mbao FC who lost most of their early matches regained composure and began to win matches, same as Majimaji of Songea.

They are now placed 12th and 13th on 16 points each and they are ahead of their bottomplaced Mwanza’s Toto African on 12 points.

JKT Ruvu and Mwadui FC are placed 14th and 15th respectively each on 13 points. Majimaji also reported a good run in their recent matches after ending their five-match winless run. They are now 14th overall with 13 points, one above the 15th-placed JKT Ruvu who are limping at the 15th position with 12 points.

SOURCE: DAILY NEWS