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Roberto Oliviera ‘Robertinho returning to the St. Mary’s Stadium for the first time since his departure in December 2022, was given an astounding reception as fans showed his appreciation for his time at the club.
Simba SC ended a dismal run of three games without victory as they defeat Vipers SC at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Saturday evening to take their first victory of the CAF Champions League campaign.
The defeat raises pressure on Vipers head coach Beto Bianchi who has seen his side fail to win any of the six games under his reign, while also extending their goal drought to seven games.
Roberto Oliviera ‘Robertinho returning to the St. Mary’s Stadium for the first time since his departure in December 2022, was given an astounding reception as fans appreciated for his time at the club.
The agenda of the match for either side was to try and score their first goal of the campaign, but even more importantly try and secure their first victory in the competition.
And both teams took to the game with purpose and intent. Vipers having a penalty appeal waved off by referee Celso Alvacao after Yunus Ssentamu seemed to be roughly brought down aside the area.
Ssentamu was again at the end of a promising move for the hosts, after he was played through by captain Milton Karisa, it was let down by his first touch.
All of Vipers’ early intent faded in the 20th minute when Henock Inonga Baka sneaked in between defenders Disan Galiwango and Hilary Mukundane to poke in the opening goal of the game.
The Venoms continued to see a turd more of the ball, and once again threatened through Ssentamu who failed to get around the keeper, while Abdul Lumala’s low effort fizzled past the upright.
Simba though had the clearer of chances and nearly had their second, but Clautous Chama squeezed his shot from a tight angle into the side netting.
The second half had a different script, with Vipers having completely no threat at the Simba goal, per the two subtle penalty claims late in the game.
It was the seventh game that Vipers has failed to find the back of the net, a run that stretches back to December 2022.
Simba on the other hand end a three-game winless run, and brighten their chances of progressing from the group stages for the second year in a row as they go into third with the three points.
Vipers is now bottom of group C with only one point. The two sides meet again on March 8, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania.
How they lined up:
Vipers SC: Alfred Mudekereza (GK), Disan Galiwango, Ashraf Mandela, Hilary Mukundane, Livingstone Mulondo, Sentamu Siraje, AbdulKarim Watambala, Bright Anukani, Abdu Lumala, Milton Karisa (C), Yunus Ssentamu
Substitutions: Fabien Mutombora, Asiku Bashir, Ibrahim Orit, Frank Tumwesigye ‘Zaga’, Kizza Martin, Serge Mwenge, Najib Yiga, Luyima Enock, Desire Tety
Simba SC: Aishi Manula, Shomari Kapombe, Sadio Kanoute, Hussein Muhamed, Joash Onyango, Clatous Chuma, Mzamiru Said, Moses Phiri, Henock Inonga Baka, Kibu Prosper, Ntibazonkiza Saidi
Substitutions: Jean Othos, Israel Mwenda, Pape Sakho, Erasto Nyoni, John Bocco, Kennedy Juma, Benno Kakolanya, Habibu Kyombo
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