SIMBA’s Zimbabwean defender Method Mwanjali was a big hurdle in their 2-0 FA Federation Cup match win over polisi Dar es Salaam at the Uhuru Stadium in the city.

The defender combined well with his team mates; Javier Bokungu, Jonas Mkude, Mohamed Hussein and Abdi Banda in their hard fought victory over their hard fighting opponents.

Simba who looked to aim for big win margin to counter their traditional rivals 4-1 over Ashanti, found the going too tough in most of the 90 minutes’ kick off. Polisi Dar es Salaam goalkeeper Kondo Salum denied Simba five clear goals that could have earned them a big win if they were all converted.

Simba who looked well drilled for a massive victory, opened their goal account early in the 3rd minute through Athanas Pastory who capitalised on Police defenders’ laxity to score from close range past Kondo Salum.

Shiza Kichuya who played well yesterday initiated the move from the right flank and send the ball to the scorer following Polisi Dar defensive blunder.Polisi Dar seemed reo-organised after conceding the goal, but Simba held on the slim lead to the breather.

In the 59th minute Simba benched off Mwinyi Kazimoto and Ibrahim Ajib for Saidi Hamis Ndemla and Jamal Mnyate and seven minutes later Laudit Mavugo came to replace Athanas Patory. Just four minutes later, Mavugo missed four clear chances in the 70th, 71st,72nd and 74th minutes to the astonishment of everyone.

He headed off target his first attempt in the 70th minute with Police goalkeeper Salum out of his goal. The 71st minute attempt saw his shot blocked by advancing keeper Salum and so were his third and fourth attempts. Kondo Salum was again a hero in the 82nd minute when saved a dangerous header from Mnyate.

Police resistance didn’t last longer as the team conceded the second goal in the 83rd minute. It was Mohamed Hussein who silenced Polisi after his powerful blockbuster found back of the net past stunned Police goalkeeper.

Simba have qualified for the best 16 stage of the FA Federation Cup. Line up Simba: Daniel Agyei, Janvier Bokungu, Mohammed Hussein ‘Tshabalala’, Abdi Banda, Method Mwanjali, Shiza Kichuya, Muzamil Yassin, Ibrahim Hajib, Pastory Athanas and Mwinyi Kazimoto.

Polisi Dar; Kondo Salum, Musiba Suleiman, Abbas Kapombe, Thabit Amanyisye, Godfrey Mpewembwe, Vincent Thedeo, Evance Wilfred, Henerico Sylavanus, Paschal Theodor, Hamad Kambangwa and Nassor Habibu. Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean Simba central defender, Method Mwanjale was named the best Premier League player of December 2016.

The player defeated Young Africans’ midfielder Haruna Niyonzima and Azam FC defender Yakub Mohamed in the race for the December’s best player of the league title.

Then defender was an instrumental in his team’s victory in the rounds of 16, 17 and 18 of the league matches played in December last year. He was also named to have played a crucial role in his team’s threematch clean sheet.

Simba didn’t concede a goal in all three matches played in home and away venues.