SIMBA SC head coach Fadlu Davids expressed frustration with his team’s inability to fully capitalize on their dominance, despite securing a 1-0 Mainland Premier League victory over Kagera Sugar at the KMC Stadium on Sunday.

While the win kept Simba’s title hopes alive, Davids was disappointed that his players couldn’t find a second goal to make the result more comfortable.

Ugandan striker Steven Mukwala scored the decisive goal for the Msimbazi Reds in the 17th minute of a tightly contested match against the already-relegated Kagera Sugar.

The result was crucial for Simba, especially in light of rivals Young Africans SC (Yanga) cruising to a 5-0 win over Dodoma Jiji - a result that allowed Young Africans to retain their position at the top of the league standings with just one match remaining.

Speaking after the match, Davids acknowledged Kagera Sugar’s ultra-defensive approach, which made it difficult for his side to break through.

"It was very difficult to play a match with so much stress. Not getting the second goal in the first half, then just trying to kill the game with possession, not moving forward - they weren’t pressing, just sitting back. It was about running the time down because one eye is on the next match," he said.

Davids stressed the importance of getting all three points given Kagera Sugar’s situation.

"Kagera had nothing to play for, so it was very important for us to do everything and get the three points. It’s a job well done and now our focus shifts to the next game," he added.

The coach also made strategic squad rotations during the match. Experienced defenders Mohamed Hussein and Shomari Kapombe came off the bench, while Elie Mpanzu, Leonel Ateba, and Yusuph Kagoma were rested. Midfielder Joshua Mutale was introduced as a substitute.

Explaining the decision to take off the league’s top scorer Jean Ahoua, Davids clarified that individual accolades were not the priority.

"I said it’s not about individual awards. Ahoua, of course, wants to score - he’s on 16 goals and chasing the 17th - but it’s more about the result. He played 90 minutes in the last match and definitely couldn’t play another full game again," Davids noted.

"We know we’ve got another big match coming up in two days, so it was necessary to freshen up the squad. The freshness of the players was the top priority with this being the third game in a week. Well done to the players for getting the three points," he concluded.

The victory saw Simba remain second on the 16-team table with 78 points - just one behind leaders Young Africans - ahead of the highly anticipated Dar es Salaam Derby set for tomorrow at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.