Kiiza sends Simba into last 16.

Burkina Faso player Victor Mswaki (left) tussles for a ball with Hassan Ramadhan Kessy of Simba during their FA Cup encounter at the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro yesterday. Simba won 3-0. (Photo by John Nditi)

MAINLAND giants Simba launched their FA Cup campaign on a sound note after thrashing First Division side Burkina Fasso 3-0 at the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro yesterday.

Ugandan striker, Hamisi Kiiza scored a brace, while Said Ndemla scored one as Simba comfortably cruised into the last 16 of the knock out tournament dubbed Azam Sports Federation Cup, whereby the winner clinches ticket for CAF Confederation Cup. Despite massive win, Simba had to dig deep to break Burkina Fasso’s resilience.

The Morogoro lads fought tooth and nail to contain Simba in the first half. Simba wasted two clear cut chances, the first coming in the 11th minute, when winger Joseph Kimwaga strode past several defenders but his final effort went wide.

Then in the 39th minute, Burundian wingback, Emery Nimubona screwed a shot that narrowly missed the target. Burkina Faso striking force led by former Simba striker, Ulimboka Mwakingwe, also threatened in some occasions. Mwakingwe almost punished his former employer but his feeble shot was easily dealt with by Ivorian goalkeeper, Vincent Angban.

After the break, Simba introduced midfielder, Mwinyi Kazimoto and striker Danny Lyanga for Nimubona and Musa Hassan ‘Mgosi’ respectively, changes which helped Jackson Mayanja’s side to up the tempo.

The Msimbazi Reds poured forward in numbers but continued to waste chance after chance. They had to wait until the last 15 minutes of the game to get their quick goals.

The first arrived when Kiiza flicked home Abdi Banda’s cross in the 77th minute. Ndemla wasted a glittering chance to make it 2-0 in the 86th minute, when Kiiza set him up but his feeble shot was easily collected by the keeper.

Then Kiiza wasted another chance a minute later, when his shot was blocked by the keeper. Drama continued as substitute Lyanga missed from a sitter after being set clear by Ndemla.

After several near misses, Ndemla netted the second in the 90th minute with a powerful drive 30 yards out before Kiiza netted the third from a spot kick in the added minutes after Ndemla was fouled in the box.

In other matches played yesterday, Toto Africans thrashed Pamba FC 4-1 in a Mwanza derby played at the CCM Kirumba Stadium, while Ndanda FC whitewashed Mshikamano FC 5-0 at the Nangwanda Sijaona Stadium in Mtwara. Mainland champions Young Africans will be in action at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam this evening against First Division League (FDL) side Friends Rangers, while Njombe Mji FDL side will host Tanzania Prisons at Amani ground in Njombe region.

Shinyanga’s Stand United will face Mwadui FC at the Kambarage Stadium in a Shinyanga derby and the third round will continue tomorrow with Kagera Sugar hosting Rhino Rangers at the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium in Tabora and Kilimanjaro’s Panone FC will battle with Madini FC at the Ushirika Stadium in Moshi.

On the same day, Azam FC will face Africa Lyon at the TFF Karume Complex in Dar es Salaam, while on Tuesday Mtibwa Sugar welcomes Abajalo FC at the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro, Lipuli FC against JKT Ruvu at Wambi Stadium in Mafinga and Africa Sports against Coastal Union at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga in another Tanga derby and Geita Gold will welcome Mgambo Shooting at Nyankumbu Complex in Geita.