Yanga come out tops in Azam five-goal thriller as Simba keep chase

• Yanga beat Azam in five goal thriller to retain lead
• The two clubs are fighting over midfielder Feisal Salum
• Simba remain six points behind after beating KMC

While the battle off field for the signature of Feisal ‘Fei Toto’ Salum has been intense, the battle on the pitch between Azam and Yanga was even more entertaining as Yanga came off on the better side of a five-goal thriller, winning 3-2 in their league encounter in Dar es Salaam.

Stephane Aziz Ki was Yanga’s star man, scoring one and setting up the other two for Fiston Mayele and Farid Musa whose goal turned out to be the winner. Azam’s goals were scored by Abdul Suleiman Sopu.

Azam broke the deadlock at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium after 27 minutes when Sopu stretched home from the edge of the six yard box to direct a Prince Dube cross home.

But, just four minutes later, Yanga got back into the game when Mayele scored with a neat finish inside the box after Bernard Morrison’s cross. But it was Aziz Ki who had done all the work, winning the ball in midfield and sending Morrison through with a  peach of a through ball.

Yanga earn advantage

Yanga’s Fiston Mayele celebrates. PHOTO/Yanga

Two minutes on the turn, Yanga had the advantage when Aziz Ki scored their second with a low shot from 25 yards out.

Azam came back from the break determined to rally back and they just needed two minutes after the restart when Sopu slammed the ball into the roof of the net from a Kipre Junior cross.

Ultimately though, it was Yanga who would earn all points, Farid tapping into the net after Azam keeper Ali Ahamada spilled Aziz Ki’s freekick.

Meanwhile, the two clubs continue to fight over the signature of midfielder Feisal.

Yanga have insisted that the midfielder will not leave the club and has to honour his contract which runs until May 30 2024. Salum who has been starring for Wanajangwani had allegedly bought out his contract at the club as he eyed a move to rivals Azam, who had given him a better contract with improved terms.

“We have refunded the money (Approx 48,000 USD) which had been deposited to the club’s account. There are rules to be followed and Feisal’s decision is not within his contract and even FIFA rules do not allow such. He has a contract until May 30, 2024 and he is still our player,” a statement from Yanga reads in part.

Salum had already written a goodbye note to Yanga fans and his teammates after buying out his contract to terminate, but the team says it will not agree to it. They have asked that he respects his contract and if anything, he should engage the club in talks.

Yanga say they had already initiated talks to imrpove his contract and offer him a bigger deal, but the talks stalled.

Simba bounce back to thrash KMC

Simba’s Hennock Inonga celebrates his goal against KMC. PHOTO/Simba

Elsewhere, Simba SC bounced back from their disappointing 1-1 draw against Kagera Sugar with a resounding 3-1 victory over Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) to keep their chase of leaders Yanga alive.

Skipper John Bocco, Augustine Okrah and Hennock Inonga scored Simba’s goals while Sadallah Lipangile scored KMC’s only goal in the match.

Bocco broke the deadlock for Simba after quarter of an hour when he stretched a foot to direct a Shomari Kapombe cross from the right into the net, a lead which they held on till half time.

Six minutes into the second half, Simba were stunned when Sadalla brought KMC level at home, volleying the ball home after controlling from a cross on the right.

But their joy lasted only four minutes as Ghanaian Okrah took Simba back into the lead whenhe swung a volley into the net after the keeper had blocked a shot from Kanoute.

Simba sealed the victory in the 73^rd minute when Inonga, fresh from extending his contract with Simba, headed home after a brilliant delivery from a freekick.

With the result, Simba are now on 41 points, six off leaders Yanga and four clear of second placed Azam.