Bocco, Miquissone help Simba SC outwit Namungo FC to seal season treble

Simba SC sealed a season treble after beating Namungo FC 2-1 in the FA Cup final at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Sumbawanga.

The 21-time league champions also won the Community Shield when they defeated Azam FC in August last year.

Captain John Bocco and Man of the Match Luis Miquissone provided the vital goals that ensured the Dar es Salaam side head back home as the champions for the FA competition.

After 35 minutes of failed attempts to break an otherwise tight Namungo backline, Simba finally got a hard-fought opener through Miquissone’s strike.

The Mozambican, who has proved to be an undroppable figure for coach Sven Vandenbroeck, scored an important goal and further showed why his January signing was a masterstroke.

Shomari Kapombe delivered a swinging cross into the penalty box, but Bocco was denied the opportunity to strike as the opponents swarmed around him, but as Namungo focused on Bocco, the ball fell into Miquissone’s path and the winger slotted home.

Bocco added the second goal four minutes after Miquissone had registered the opener, heading into the net and ensured Simba headed into the break with a healthy 2-0 lead.

The Tanzanian, in the absence of Meddie Kagere, worked hard and ensured the club will not miss the Rwandan talisman.

With nine league goals, Bocco has turned out to be Simba’s dependable captain and goalscorer throughout the campaign, even though he has had to battle a knee injury.

As Sven Vandenbroeck fielded a strong side for the domestic tournament finale to conclude his maiden season in charge, Kagere was the only regular starter who was benched, with the goal-hunting responsibilities placed on the shoulders of Bocco, Clatous Chama, Francis Kahata and Miquissone.

Namungo equalized in the 57th minute when Edward Charles Manyama managed to beat Aishi Manula in Simba's goal as the affair in Sumbawanga turned into an end-to-end encounter.

The biggest test perhaps lies ahead for the former Zambian national team coach as he has to ensure Simba prosper in the 2020-21 Caf Champions League.

Last season, under Patrick Aussems, the club was eliminated in the preliminary round by UD Songo of Mozambique.

Miquissone, then on the books of Songo, scored the goal that eliminated Simba in Dar es Salaam in August 2018.

Defeated finalists Namungo, who finished fourth on the league standings, will still look back on a successful campaign as they reach the Confederation Cup by virtue of advancing to the FA Cup final.

The big test for coach Thierry Hitimana will come when the team face continental rivals and try to better the league’s performance in the 2020/21 campaign.