The race for the CRDB Federation Cup title has intensified after giants Simba SC and Azam FC successfully booked their places in the semi-finals following impressive quarter-final victories, completing the final four lineup of the competition.
Simba SC delivered a commanding statement of intent after cruising to a 4-0 win over TRA United in a match played at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam, showcasing attacking quality and control from start to finish.
The victory was set in motion early when Clatous Chama struck in the 6th minute, giving Simba a perfect start and immediately putting their opponents under pressure.
The momentum continued in the first half as Anicet Oura doubled the lead in the 26th minute, ensuring Simba went into the break with a comfortable advantage.
After the restart, Simba maintained their dominance and continued to stretch TRA United’s defence. Selemani Mwalimu added the third goal in the 64th minute before Bashir Kibaila completed the rout in the 78th minute, sealing a convincing win that underlined Simba’s ambitions in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Azam FC secured their semi-final ticket through a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Mashujaa FC in a tightly contested quarter-final encounter played in Kigoma near the Lake Tanganyika region.
The match proved to be a tactical battle, with both sides showing discipline and determination, but it was Azam FC who made the decisive breakthrough just before halftime.
Idd Nado found the back of the net in the 45th minute plus four added minutes, giving the Dar es Salaam-based side a crucial lead.
Despite pressure from Mashujaa FC in the second half, Azam FC maintained their defensive shape and composure to protect their narrow advantage until the final whistle, securing a vital win away from home.
The match also highlighted the challenging conditions of playing in the Lake Tanganyika region, with Azam FC showing resilience and experience to navigate a difficult away fixture.
With both Simba SC and Azam FC through to the semi-finals, attention now shifts to the remaining fixtures that will determine the final contenders in the competition.
The stage is now set for an exciting semi-final round as the battle for one of Tanzania’s most prestigious domestic trophies continues to heat up.
