Azam edge Simba to retain Cecafa Kagame Cup

Azam players celebrate with the trophy after beating Simba SC 2-1 in the Cecafa Kagame Cup final match at National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on July 13, 2018. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO |

What you need to know:

  • Azam pocketed Sh3 million while Simba bagged Sh2 million.

IN DAR ES SALAAM

Azam beat Tanzanian compatriots Simba 2-1 to retain the Cecafa Kagame Cup in a nerve-wracking final at National Stadium on Friday.

Shaban Chilunda and Aggrey Morris’ goals in each half rendered Meddie Kagere’s fourth goal in a Simba jersey meaningless as the icemakers retained the trophy they won at the same venue when the regional competition was last staged three years ago.

Also Read

Azam players toss their coach Hans Van der Pluijm in the air after beating Simba 2-1 during the Cecafa Kagame Cup final at National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on July 13, 2018. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Azam players applaud their fans after scoring their second goal against Simba during the Cecafa Kagame Cup final at National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on July 13, 2018. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Azam pocketed Sh3 million while Simba bagged Sh2 million.

Earlier on, second half goals from Burundian Francis Mustafa and Samuel Onyango saw Gor Mahia edge out Zanzibar champions Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi (JKU) 2-0 to finish third and take home Sh1 million.

Back to the final, Chilunda struck his eighth goal in the tournament and Azam’s opener on 33 minutes after heading home Ramadhan Singano's cross with Simba custodian Dida Munishi well beaten.

Azam controlled the proceedings going into the break, but Simba returned from the breather hungrier and levelled matters on 64 minutes through Kagere.

Kagere headed home Mohamed Rashid’s cross from close range to send Simba fans into a frenzy.

Chilunda had missed a chance to double their advantage in the 58th minute after hitting the crossbar from outside the area.

The Spain-bound youngster then won a free kick outside the box with 20 minutes to go after being clipped by his former teammate at Azam Paschal Wawa.

Azam captain Morris fired home with a brilliant shot from the resultant freekick to silence the thousands of Simba fans in the stands.

In the headlines