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Simba SC 6-0 Vital'O: Tanzania champions cruise past Burundian side
Wekundu wa Msimbazi fielded two different teams in either half as preparations for the new campaign kicked off in style
Simba SC started their preparations for the 2020/21 season with a convincing 6-0 win against Burundian outfit Vital'O FC on Saturday.
Tanzania Mainland League champions gave a debut to their new signings Joash Onyango, Bernard Morrison, Said Ndemla, and Larry Bwalya for the fans to have a taste of what to expect from them in the new campaign.
However, it was not going to be an easy task breaking down the visitors, who were also ready to give a good account of themselves.
After a cautious start from both sides, Wekundu wa Msimbazi eventually settled and took control of the game amid cheers from thousands of fans who had flocked Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
It looked like the first half could end without a goal, but in the 45th minute, Ghanaian Morrison put smiles in the faces of Simba fans when he managed to get the ball into the back of the net. It was a goal that reduced the pressure on the home team after they'd initially struggled to break down the Burundians.
In the second minute of the added time, captain John Raphael Bocco, who has been instrumental for the 21-time champions since the league resumed on June 13, was at it again to ensure his team went to the break with a healthy 2-0 lead.
2019/21 Most Valuable Player and best midfielder Clatous Chama put more light on the two teams with a third goal in the second half.
The fans had to wait until the 76th minute before celebrating another, this time from Ibrahim Ajibu, who was at the end of a well-executed move by his teammates.
Two minutes later, it was 5-0 courtesy of new signing Chris Mugalu before Charles Ilanfya completed the route with the sixth in the added minutes.
It was a match that coach Sven Vandenbroeck used to gauge his players and new arrivals in preparations for the busy new campaign.
Last season, the Msimbazi-based side won a treble: they opened the season with a Community Shield win before securing the league title with six matches to go.
The third honour came when they defeated Namungo FC 2-1 in the FA Cup final. Simba will represent Tanzania in the Caf Champions League.
