1. Simba will Rise again, but how far will they sink this season?
Simba endured yet another defeat that leaves them barely hanging onto their fourth spot. Third spot seems out of reach and more inconsistency in the last three remaining matches would see them finish outside the top four for the first time in over twenty years.
The 2-1 defeat against Azam did not reflect the match proceedings. The Msimbazi Reds had more control of the match in both halves but failed to convert their chances. In all accounts, bar the final outcome, it was a sign of good things to come from Logarusic. But will the coach be allowed more time to shape his boys?
2. Azam are playing like Champions, and deserve to be
Once again, Azam were outplayed but still managed to collect maximum points. A week ago, it was Yanga who did most of the work only to end up sharing the spoils with the gritty Chamazi side.
It seems nothing will stop Azam from being crowned Champions for the first time in their history. There is nothing extra ordinary about them, with the exception of the Ivorian hitman, Kipre Tchetche, their squad is very average which begs question how they will fare in the continental campaign next year.
They lack fluidity, have the weakest midfield among the top four and at times too slow in moving the ball but that has not stopped them from maintaining their unbeaten run this season.
While their football is far from attractive, their performance has been very clinical. They hit hard the underdogs, struggle against big teams but nonetheless take their chances. It is like the players have smelled Bakhressas millions in bonuses or perhaps it is a testament to the winning mentality that Confederation Cup winning-coach, Joseph Omog is trying to instill in the side.
3. Do Ligi kuu teams practice set piece taking?
Well, according to the Book, Why Everything You know about football is wrong, corners are next to worthless. Their value in terms of net goal difference is close to zero.
Nevertheless, corners are still part of the game. But one might be easily forgiven to think that Ligi Kuu teams, perhaps with the exception of Mbeya City have completely decided not to train in set piece taking.The number of corners and free kick that hits the first defender or skies wide is ridiculously high.
During the weekend, Yanga had more than 14 corners but none came close to to even cause the slightest discomfort to Mgambo JKT.It has been a long time since we last saw a free kick goal. Do our teams really practice set piece taking?
4. Power without control and coordination is nothing
Yanga have the deadliest striking force in the league. In Okwi, Ngassa, Kiiza, Kavumbagu and Msuva hitting the back of the net against a lowly team, moreover a man down, like Mgambo JKT should not be a hard task.
But Yanga much touted striking force once again failed to deliver when it mattered most. Watching Yanga rapid but uncoordinated attacks against Mgambo felt like observing a blind man taking aim at an unknown target.
The inherent power in Yanga forwardline is immense but more often than not it lacks coordination and control. It is more of individual brilliance and personal glory at the expense of coordinated effort.
5. Mohamed Netto passionate pleas, protest and Juju
Just 30 minutes into the Mgambo-Yanga encounter, Mohamed Neto of Mgambo was sent off for a second bookable offence of protesting at the referee decision to book him for what has so far been unofficially reported as refusal to allow the referee to inspect him after suspicion of carrying a black charm Hirizi.
How do we know this is a charm and that is not? Both the official and Mohamed Neto were culpable of unnecessarily disrupting the match. Mohamed Neto, passionate pleas, however genuine they were ought not to have continued after the referee had booked him. The referee was not going to change his stance, in the end, Mohamed Neto picked a second caution that left his team with a numerical disadvantage.
Ligi Kuu Bara Weekend Review | SokaTanzania
