Football-Tanzania - Simba moved to within one point of Premier League leaders Young Africans after an impressive 3-0 victory against African Lyon at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Thursday. Highly rated striker Mbwana Samatta was the star-of-the-show when he fired a stunning second-half brace, after Amri Kiemba had given the champions an early lead. The victory gave Patrick Phiri's team 30 points from 13 games, one behind Yanga who on Wednesday suffered their first league defeat, losing 1-0 to Mtibwa Sugar at the same venue.

Simba have played a game less compared to their title challengers. African Lyon, meanwhile, remained ninth on the league table, with 13 points, four points above the relegation zone after playing 13 games.

Simba enjoyed a brightest spell during the opening exchange and African Lyon required two classic saves from goalkeeper Noel Lucas to keep cleansheet in the opening two minutes.

But unlucky Lucas could not stop another Simba's serious attempt in the 5th minute. He succeeded to palm Jerry Santo's powerful shot inches away, only to allow the ball fall into Kiemba's path and the midfielder did no mistake as he reacted swiftly to ram it into the top roof for Simba's opener.

On the move, Lucas collided with the Simba player and the custodian sustained a serious cut on his head and required treatment, which forced the game to stop for 13 minutes.

The game resumed and the tempo slowed down a bit. Despite maintaining their dominancy, Simba showed little of their free-flowing game for the rest of the half. They created few more

chances through Musa Hassan 'Mgosi', Samatta and Rashid Gumbo on 18th, 29th and 39th minutes respectively.

African Lyon were not left far behind Idrisa Rashid and Sunday Bakari both drew fine saves from Ali Mustafa who again started ahead of first choice goalkeeper Juma Kaseja.

A total of ten minutes were added at the end of the first half but still no goal was scored as Simba took a 1-0 lead heading for the breather.

On resumption Simba oozed confidence and were far more comfortable in possession, stiffling their opponents who looked less equipped to compete on the day.

Simba wasted no time to double their lead thanks to Samatta's mesmerizing solo effort on 47th minute.

The former Lyon player made a superb run from the centre cycle dribbling past several ex-teammates before unleashing a stunning 20-yard drive that nested on the top corner of Lucas' goal.

It was the goal of real beauty that had Simba fans in awe, and this would definitely be rated among the best goals ever scored in the top flight football.

African Lyon coach Jumanne Challe sent on Samuel Ngasa after 55th minute in the hope of sparking their attacks into life but, like his teammates before him, struggled to get going playing under conditions set by the holders.

If Simba appeared at ease with a two goal lead, they displayed an attacking football and had several opportunities to put the game to bed as Gumbo, Mgosi, Kiemba and Samata wasted more chances.

Samatta scored his second of the day, clinically sending Shamte's cross into the back of the net with eight minutes to go.

Moments later substitute Mohamed Banka went agonizingly close to make it 4-0 when he drifted Juma Jabu's inviting cross wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy, but the job had already been executed to great perfection by the Msimbazi Street giants, that they could afford some wastefulness in the closing stages.

Teams: Ally Mustafa, Haruna Shamte, Juma Jabu, Meshack Abel, Kelvin Yondan, Jerry Santo, Rashid Gumbo, Patrick Ochan, Musa Hassan 'Mgosi', Mbwana Samata and Amri Kiemba.

African Lyon: Noel Lucas, Rajab Zahir, Hamis Shengo, Zuberi Ubwa, Bakari Omari, Hamis Yusuf, Hamis Thabit, Mohamed Samata, Adam Kingwande, Idrisa Rashid, Sunday Bakari.

Abdallah Msuya

Tanzania Daily News