10-man Simba silence Kagera Sugar

KAGERA: TEN-MAN Simba silenced Kagera Sugar with a hard-fought victory in their Mainland Premier League opener at Kaitaba Stadium in Kagera yesterday, securing three valuable points to make a positive start to the 2026/27 season.

Despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half, Simba held firm to claim an important away win with goals from Ismail Toure and Elie Mpanzu.

Simba made their attacking intent clear from the outset, coming close to taking an early lead in the fourth minute when Ibrahim Doumbia’s effort beat Kagera Sugar goalkeeper Said Kipao, only for the woodwork to come to the hosts’ rescue.

Five minutes later, Kagera Sugar nearly broke the deadlock when unmarked forward Kassim Feka connected with a set-piece delivery, but Simba goalkeeper Mahamadou Kassali denied him with a fine save using his feet.

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In the 45th minute, Ismail Toure headed Simba into the lead just before the break, connecting with Libasse Gueye’s corner. Six minutes into the second half, Simba wingback David Kameta committed a dangerous foul on David Luhende, raising his boot high and catching the Kagera Sugar player.

The referee reviewed the incident using the Football Video Support (FVS) system before showing Kameta a straight red card. Reduced to 10 men, South African tactician Steve Barker responded by making two changes, replacing Doumbia and Morice Abraham with Elie Mpanzu and Nathan Chilambo.

In the 67th minute, Kagera Sugar came close to breaking the deadlock following a well-coordinated passing move between Mudathir Said and Kassim Feka. Feka received a well-weighted pass inside the box and fired a close-range effort, but Kassali was equal to it, making the save.

The changes paid off in the 69th minute when Libasse Gueye skillfully beat a defender on the right flank before advancing towards the box. He then picked out Mpanzu with a well-timed pass, allowing the substitute to round the goalkeeper and slot the ball into the net.

It was an unfortunate setback for Simba in the 81st minute when firstchoice goalkeeper Mahamadou Kassali suffered an injury and was replaced by Hussein Abel, who helped his side preserve the clean sheet and secure the victory.