Bandari silence Simba roar to storm SportPesa Cup final

Bandari forward William Wadri (right) launches an attack during their SportPesa Cup semi-final against Simba at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on January 25, 2018. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • The Ugandan stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick, in the process sending Manula the wrong way
  • A Bandari corner was poorly defended by Simba's defence and the loose ball fell kindly for Lugogo who shanked a low drive that came off the inside of the left post on its way in
  • Bandari will face the winner between Kariobangi Sharks and Mbao in the final slated for Sunday

IN DAR ES SALAAM

Debutants Bandari Friday staged a major upset in the SportPesa Cup semi-finals edging out Tanzanian giants Simba 2-1 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Substitute Wilberforce Lugogo came off the bench to score the winner in the 72nd minute after Ugandan William Wadri had cancelled out Meddie Kagere's first half opener from the spot in the 55th minute.

Bandari coach Bernard Mwalala lauded his charges for sticking to the game plan.

"We had to work hard from the start. We didn't allow to them to get to their best. They are a big team and I want to thank my boys for this historic result, said Mwalala.

His opposite number Patrick Aussems rued complacency for the loss.

"We played against a team that came to try and get a draw and go to penalties. We had a problem because the two goals we conceded from set pieces. Most of my players gave only 80 to 85 per cent today and that is not enough to win this high level match," said Aussems.

The Simba coach had however given the semi-final the seriousness it deserved recalling lead striker Kagere as first team regulars Aishi Manula, Pascal Wawa, Emmanuel Okwi and Clatous Chama kept their places.

It was Kagere who found the breakthrough just before half time. The Rwandese did well to pounce on a clever through pass from playmaker Chama. He then unleashed a first time right-footed screamer which easily flew past Bandari keeper Farouk Shikalo at the near post.

Before this goal, Mwalala seemed to have done enough to contain a lethal Simba attack consisting Kagere, Chama, Hassan Dilunga and trialist Sadney Urikhob.

It is however Bandari who fashioned out the first chance of this game in the second minute.

That chance fell to Wadri but the dreadlocked forward failed to direct his header inside Aisha Manula's goal.

Simba would thereafter dominate, with Dilunga missing an open chance four minutes later after failing to connect to Kagere's cross with only Shikalo to beat.

Burundian match referee Georges Gatogato would then call for a water break as the player seemed to slow down amid the soaring Dar heat.

Moments after the break, Gatogato awarded Bandari their second penalty of this tournament after Abdalla Hassan was brought down in the box.

And just like in the quarter-final against Singida United, the Ugandan stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick, in the process sending Manula the wrong way.

With the match evenly poised, Mwalala - a lethal striker for both Harambee Stars and Simba arch rivals Yanga in his playing days - made tactical changes that turned the game on its head.

Lugogo, Wycliffe Ochomo and Darius Msagha all joined the fray in a bid to bolster his attack.

On 72 minutes, Lugogo capped Bandari's dominance with a brilliant goal. A Bandari corner was poorly defended by Simba's defence and the loose ball fell kindly for Lugogo who shanked a low drive that came off the inside of the left post on its way in.

Bandari will face the winner between Kariobangi Sharks and Mbao in the final slated for Sunday.