Inform Mlandege stop giants Simba to retain Mapinduzi Cup

Zanzibar Premier League side, Mlandege FC have retained the Mapinduzi Cup.

Coach Jaala Abdallah Salim’s side rose to the occasion to outclass Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC 1-0 in the final played at the refurbished Amaan Stadium on Saturday evening.

Going into the final Mlandege had seen off Rwanda’s APR FC, while Simba SC ejected Singinda Fountain Gate FC at the semi final stage.

Ugandan player Joseph Akandwanaho who joined Mlandege FC few days ago netted the lone goal after 54 minutes when he turned defenders inside out and slotting the ball past the Simba SC goalkeeper.

Simba SC tried to fight back strongly to level matters, but the Zanzibar team cheered on by the home fans stood firm till the final whistle. It was all celebrations at the end of the match which was also witnessed by the Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi.

The winners who finished the tournament unbeaten received a cash prize of Tanzania shillings 100 million, while Simba SC who are also in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League bagged Tanzania Shillings 70 million.

The Mapinduzi Cup is an annual tournament organised by the government of Zanzibar together with the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF). The 2024 Mapinduzi Cup attracted teams from Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi.