Simba lose ground in Tanzania title race

Tanzanian club Simba extended their unbeaten run under South Africa coach Steve Barker to 13 games but lost ground on leaders Young Africans after a goalless draw on Sunday.

Simba, who sit in second place in the standings, were held 0-0 by Azam away in Mbagala on Sunday.

The result left Simba six points adrift of leaders Young Africans, although they have one game in hand.

Simba have a hectic catch-up programme after falling behind with their domestic fixtures after reaching the group phase of the African Champions League.

They are next away at Tabora United in Arusha on Thursday. Last Thursday, Simba returned from the international window to beat Coastal Union 2-0 in Dar-es-Salaam, where Neo Maema was named man of the match.

Barker, who also has another former Mamelodi Sundowns player in Rushine de Reuck in his team, took over at Simba in January and lost his first game in charge away at Esperance of Tunisia in the group phase of the African Champions League.

But since then, he has a record of seven wins and six draws in all competitions.

Simba still have 12 matches until the end of the season in late June, but their key game against Yana in Dar-es-Salaam comes on 3 May.