SIMBA Sports Club delivered another emphatic performance on the road as they cruised to a 5-0 victory over Kengold FC in an NBC Premier League matchday 29 fixture at the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium in Tabora.

The win not only marked their fifth consecutive league triumph but also preserved their impressive unbeaten away record for the season.

Goals from Kibu Denis (brace), Lione Ateba, Elie Mpanzu, and Jean Ahoua who also registered an assist ensured Simba secured all three points in style. The Reds from Msimbazi Street now move to 75 points, staying firmly in contention for the championship title.

Following the match, Simba head coach Fadlu Davids (pictured) praised his players’ focus and intensity, emphasizing the need to maintain high standards as the season approaches its climax.

“I think we still have to do the job, do the right things, execute our principles with the ball and without the ball. It was important to keep the intensity high because we’ve got two matches ahead before the end of the season, and you want to have the right intensity for the minutes you’re going to play,” said Davids.

“Each player needs to be able to give his best, and I think that’s what we’ve done today. Now we have a few days before facing Kagera Sugar.”

The coach further noted that Simba will go into camp to recover and prepare for their next matches, stressing the importance of freshness and tactical discipline as they approach a tough end to the campaign, including a much-anticipated derby against rivals Young Africans.

“After the match, we will camp and then focus on recovery in preparation for Kagera Sugar. We know it’s not only Kagera we must think about we also have to prepare for the Yanga match afterward. Recovery and freshness are important, and the players selected must do the job,” he added.

Addressing their opponents, Davids acknowledged KenGold’s effort despite their already-confirmed relegation status, noting that individual performances among KenGold players were driven by the desire to secure contracts elsewhere.

“KenGold tried, like I said, it’s a team that is already relegated, but their players were playing for individual recognition, and that’s what we saw today. It was important for us to maintain our own standards and not drop to their level.”

Simba’s dominance was evident from the outset, with Kibu Denis opening the scoring and later doubling his tally to lead the charge. Ateba, Mpanzu, and Ahoua all found the net, while the team maintained composure and dictated the tempo throughout the match.

The vital win leaves Simba in second place with 75 points from 28 matches, just one point behind leaders Young Africans, who have 76 points after the same number of games. 

Simba’s record now stands at 24 wins, three draws, and only one loss. Young Africans, on the other hand, have 25 wins, one draw, and two defeats, making the upcoming final two fixtures for both teams potentially decisive in the race for the championship.

Simba will next face Kagera Sugar on June 22, before wrapping up the season with the eagerly awaited Dar es Salaam derby against Young Africans on June 25 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. 

The outcome of these two matches will likely determine who clinches the 2024/2025 NBC Premier League title.

For KenGold FC, the heavy defeat further underlined a disappointing campaign. With just 16 points from 29 matches, they have officially been relegated from the top flight.

Their record includes only three wins, seven draws, and a staggering 19 defeats. The Mbeya-based club has just one fixture remaining a formality against Namungo FC on June 22 before dropping to the Championship League next season.

As the league heads toward a dramatic finish, all eyes will be on the final matchdays, with the championship, continental spots, and relegation battles providing plenty of excitement for Tanzanian football fans.