Under the cloudy skies of Lindi, at the 2000 seater that is Majaliwa Stadium, Simba SC were crowned the Tanzania Premier League champions for the third straight year and the 21st time in their history.
Their sparkling run this term has seen them crowned champions with six matches to spare after their tally of 79 points proved too much for Azam FC and Yanga SC to catch.
Celebrations started early with supporters from Dar es Salaam, Moshi and Mwanza colouring the Majaliwa Stadium red.
Hundreds of Simba fans danced around the city happily. Others wept in joy. That moment had finally come that Msimbazi Reds were being coroneted for the third time in the heart of their supporters.
Huge banners displayed in town service vehicles and personal cars boldly displayed the words: We are the champions.
Namubgo FC, Simba’s hosts of the evening, did the remarkable sportsmanship, mounting a guard of honour for the champions as the latter trudged from the dug-out on to the pitch.
Could this have meant respect on the pitch? No, on the contrary, Namungo simply stuck to the script; in the spirit and respect of the game.
On it, ferocious football was fought, with both sides seeing a bit of the ball in the opening stages, although chances were hard to come by.
That proved to be the theme for the opening 30 minutes, with the only bit of entertainment coming from Simba’s Ibrahim Rajibu with his skilful touches.
The first effort of the half arrived in the 38th minute courtesy of Saidi Ndemla’s long-range strike, which Namungo keeper was equal to.
Simba nearly broke the deadlock a minute later when Zongo played a fine pass for Bongi Ntuli, but the striker dragged his effort just wide of the mark.
Namungo were presented with a chance late in the half but Haruna Shamte did well to clear away Abeid Athuman’s goal-bound effort, with Beno Kakolanya well beaten.
Kakolanya was called into action after the hour-mark, as he pulled off two saves to deny Athumna in quick succession.
Sven Vandenbroeck’s side continued to waste chances as the half drew to a close, this time Meddie Kagere heading over from 10-yards in the 43rd minute.
Namungo nearly broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half when Karimu Abed beat Kakolanya to the ball but ended up directing his inches wide of the upright.
With Simba struggling to breakdown Namungo, Vandenbroeck made some changes in the attack line.
Oscar Masai came to Namungo’s rescue in the 76th minute, as he came rushing off his line to deny Deo Kandain the 12-yard area.
Vandenbroeck’s charges pushed for a winning goal in the closing stages of the second half, but the Msimbazi Reds struggled to break down a stubborn Namungo defence.
This was the second consecutive game Simba have managed a goalless draw after the first-leg match against Tanzania Prisons played at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.
Simba captain John Bocco lifted the trophy to the delight of thousands of fans who had thronged the stadium.
Simba still have other league matches against Ndanda FC, Mbao FC, Alliance FC, and Coastal Union to play before the season concludes.
