Ihefu SC plots Simba SC downfall in April double-header

29Mar 2023
Nassir Nchimbi
Dar es Salaam
Sport
The Guardian
Ihefu SC plots Simba SC downfall in April double-header

REJUVENATED Ihefu SC has expressed determination to record positive results against Simba SC in the two clubs’ double-header slated to take place in April.

Simba SC winger Augustine Okrah (L) negotiates his way past Ihefu SC's defensive midfielder, Samwel Onditi, during this season's NBC Premier League tie which took place in Dar es Salaam in November last year. The duel ended with Simba SC cruising to a 1-0 victory. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SIMBA SC

The outfits will first lock horns in this season's Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC) last eight's fixture that will be held at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on April 1-3.

They will then take on each other in the 2022/23 NBC Premier League's second phase duel at Highland Estate Stadium in Mbeya on April 8.

After a less impressive start to the 2022/23 Premier League, Ihefu SC made a big U-turn after succeeding to garner wins over two big guns, Yanga and Azam FC, at the Mbeya outfit's home turf.

The NBC Premier League match between Ihefu SC and Simba SC is one of the tense matches of the coming round, considering Ihefu SC has had a good run recently and has gone seven matches in all competitions without suffering defeat.

The Mbarali-based side seems to have found the lost key which has unlocked the squad's prosperity door.

The side, thus, looks to be better positioned to make full use of the home-ground advantage.

Ihefu SC’s last Premier League match, which ended in a loss for the squad, witnessed the squad going down 1-0 to Yanga at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on January 16.

Since then, the club has engaged in six league fixtures, winning four and stamping two draws in the process which is a good trend for the club.

Ihefu SC head coach John Simkoko hailed the improvement of his team, pointing out that the progress gives him hope of emerging victorious against Simba SC even though he realizes that both games will be tough.

Simkoko stated: "We have a strong squad with experienced players, as is the case for Simba SC, and we also have goals to do well in the Azam Sports Federation Cup, it won't be a walk in the park for Simba SC so we expect to give them tough opposition."

"We have grown confidence since our last loss to Yanga in January, the new January signings along with other players have helped us a lot to change things around," the tactician noted.

"From languishing in the relegation zone to scaling up to sixth place in the league standings with six games to go, this is a good sign for our development," Simkoko stated.

Ihefu SC lately sits sixth on the NBC Premier League table with 33 points from 25 encounters, whereas the side's opponent, Simba SC, is occupying second place with 57 points from 24 matches.

Top Stories