DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA kept pressure on Mainland Premier League leaders, Young Africans after securing a 2-1 victory over Pamba Jiji at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam, leaving the title race separated by two points with four matches remaining this season.
Azam, who are third in the table with 55 points and four matches remaining, now face an uphill task to stay in the title race. Simba made an early breakthrough in the eighth minute through Elie Mpanzu.
A short free-kick from Neo Maema routine caught the Pamba defence off guard as the ball rolled into Mpanzu’s path before he turned and fired a low strike into the net.
Pamba responded in the 18th minute with a well-worked move between Zabona Hamis and Mathew Tegisi.
Hamis played Tegisi into the penalty area, and the forward moved past a defender before placing the ball beyond the goalkeeper to level the match before the break.
The visitors nearly took the lead five minutes into the second half when Henry Msabila struck from the left flank, but Simba goalkeeper Djbrilla Kasalli reacted quickly to deny Pamba.
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Simba restored their advantage in the 65th minute through Libasse Gueye following a counter-attack move.
Gueye drove into the penalty area before firing past the goalkeeper to hand Simba the lead.
The hosts pushed for another goal in the closing stages and came close through Selemani Mwalimu after a pass from Morice Abraham, but his effort struck the woodwork.
With four matches left before the end of the season, the result keeps Simba within reach of Yanga as the battle for the Mainland Premier League title enters its final phase.