Mlandege stun Simba SC in Mapinduzi Cup 2023

_{Zanzibar Premier League side Mlandege FC stopped defending champions Simba SC 1-0 in a Group C match at the ongoing Mapinduzi Cup 2023 in Zanzibar.}

_{The home side who started the competition with a 1-1 draw against KVZ made sure they picked maximum points in a match played at the Amaan Stadium on Tuesday night.}

_{Coach Juma Mgunda’s side started the match in control, but Mlandege defended in numbers. Augustine Okrah had some chances for Simba SC, but was not sharp enough to find the target.}

_{After 75 minutes Abubakar Mwadin nodded in Mlandege’s goal off a corner kick. But nine minutes later the Zanzibari side had Abdallah Ali sent off for a second bookable offence. “My players played well and am happy with the performance,” said Mlandege coach Abdalah Mohamed..}

_{While Simba SC are now out of contention to qualify for the semi finals, the last Group C match between them and KVZ on Thursday will determine which team tops the group and books a place in the knock out stage.}

_{In the the other match played on Tuesday Tanzania Premier League side Azam FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Malindi SC.}

_{Action returns today with local side Chipukuzi FC facing Namungo SC in a Group D match, while Young Africans SC will take on KMKM SC in a Group B match.}

_{The tournament has attracted 12 teams and the top teams in each of the four groups will qualify for the semi finals. The final will be played on January 13th. The Mapinduzi Cup is a competition which is part of the 59th anniversary of the revolution of Zanzibar.}

_{Azam FC have won the Mapinduzi Cup a record five times (2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019), while Simba SC lifted the title in 2011, 2015 and 2022. Young Africans SC and  Mtibwa Sugar have each won the title twice, while Zanzibar sides Jamhuri FC, Polisi SC, KMKM SC, Mafunzo FC, Malindi FC, Miembeni FC and Ugandan sides KCC FC and URA FC have lifted the title once.}