Ntibanzokiza shines on debut as Simba whip Prisons

• Simba finished the year with a big win over Tanzania Prisons
• The Burundian scored three and assisted one on his debut
• He was signed from Geita Gold and previously featured for Yanga

Simba new signing Saidi Ntibanzokiza shone on his debut, scoring a hatrcik and registering one assist as Wekundu was Msimbazi thrashed Tanzania Prisons 7-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to move within three points of Premier League leaders Yanga SC.

The Burundian International was signed by Simba early this week from Geita Gold and was thrown straight into the starting team and did not disappoint. John Bocco also scored a hatrick while Shomari Kapombe added the other.

Jeremiah Juma scored Prisons’ consolation.

Bocco had given Simba the lead inside 12 minutes after sliding in unmarked following Saido’s Cross from the left. The goal was a product of brilliant team play, Pape Sakho starting off the move in midfield before floating in a cross that ended with the goal.

Prisons reduced to 10 men

Prisons were reduced to 10 men after 20 minutes when Samson Bangula was sent off for a two footed tackle on Hennock Inonga.

Despite going down, Prisons worked hard and equalised in the 29th minute when Juma volleyed into the net after keeper Aishi Manula palmed a cross right into his path.

But in the second half, Simba ran riot, taking maximum advantage of their numerical prowess and pressing the visitors deep into their own half.

Bocco scored his second barely 45 seconds into the second half with a tap from Sakho’s Cross. Simba were in cruise control of the match as Saido struck his debut goal on the hour mark with a shot from inside the box. Two minutes later, Bocco completed his hatrick with a second bite of the cherry after his initial header was saved.

The Burundian new signing had played a role in the goal as he floated the initial cross that saw Bocco’s header saved by the keeper.

Straight from the restart, Saido netted his second. Simba won the ball in midfield, and the Burundian was played through on goal. He took a rasping shot on target, greasing through the keeper’s gloves. He completed his hatrick in the 70th minute when he battled through defenders to shoot from inside the box after another brilliant through pass.

Kapombe complete job for Simba

Kapombe then completed the job in the 8th minute with a header from the backpost after the Prisons defense struggled to clear a Cross from Gadiel Michael.

Saido was delighted with his debut performance. “It was a great game and to be honest I never thought I would score a hattrick. I am really delighted and I want to tell Simba fans to expect more from me. This is just the start and I want to continue in the same way and work hard for my club,” the forward stated.

Simba now hope they can take the same form into the new year as they look to dislodge eternal rivals Yanga from the apex of the standings and wrestle back the title they lost last season. With the league yet to hit the home stretch, they believe they have what it takes to take pole.