CECAFA U-20 CHALLENGE CUP: Simichimba nets hat-trick in Tanzania’s big win

Striker Andrew Albart Simichimba netted a hat-trick to help Tanzania beat Ethiopia 4-0 in a Group B match at the on-going Cecafa U-20 Challenge Cup in Uganda. Ethiopia’s Abel Negashe should have put his team in-front after only minutes but missed the target from close range at the Fufa Technical center in Njeru.

But Tanzania later intensified their attack before Kelvin Pius John intercepted made it 1-0 after receiving a long ball in the 19^th minute and run past two defenders before firing in the net.

Tanzania continued to dominate the game before they scored the second on 40 minutes through Simichimba with a hard shot past Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Yohannes Temesgen.

After recess Simichimba scored two more goals for Tanzania. Substitute Abdul Hamis Suleiman also had his shot hit the goal post on 85 minutes.

Ethiopia’s coach Yosef Tesfaye said they lost because of lack of enough international exposure by his players. “We lost to a very good team that has experience,” said Tesfaye.

The Tanzanian coach Zeberi Katwila praised his players for following the tactics. “We knew that Ethiopia pass the ball well, so we decided to attack them on the breaks and tired them out. We are happy to start a tournament with a big win,” added the Tanzania coach.

Kenya’s Raising Stars were set to face Zanzibar in the second Group B game at the same venue.