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London simba locked horns with London cranes on Sunday 17th August 2008 yet again in this annual epic pre season game. There was a lot of talk from both camps in the build up to the game and if the war of words was anything to go by, then we were in for a cracking game. London Simba have been busy in the transfer market and have added two experienced midfielders to their squad for the season ahead and the fans were promised to get a glimpse of the new signings during the game. With kick off imminent and the crowd not able to handle their excitement, the ref led both teams out the tunnel, London simba were not only lining up some new singings but also unveiled a new home kit for the coming season which is still in their traditional colours of Yellow and blue and definitely won the smartness contest before the ball was kicked. On the other hand London cranes were lining up in their usual red and white home kit.
Cranes kicked off and got the game under way and they were content on passing the ball around at back looking to exploit and gaps in the simba team but found none. With first meaningful attack of the game simba struck the first blow when Jamie Omoragbon delivered in a peach of a ball which was met by Ronnie Ziwa with a well taken header putting simba ahead with 8 minutes on the clock. With the cranes looking shell shocked they were eager to get back into the game and went on a wave of attack but the simba defence was able to soak it all up until the ref gave the cranes an undeserved free kick on the edge of the box. It’s from there Matthias Ndawula a former simba player put the game level with a well taken free kick. Just before the first half ended cranes grab another goal to go 2-1 up with a brilliant over head kick from their left winger. After the break simba came out like a wounded lion lead by their captain Ugandan international... |
Moses Jjunju, they run tireless eager to restore their pride and reserve the rights to be called “The Best Ugandan Team in UK”. Despite the cranes’ efforts to try and extend their lead over simba, the simba defence held strong with Nobert Kigozi and Dickson Katumba at central defence there was no way through the pair of them. Midway through the second half it was evident that the Cranes were not going to get past the simba defence and while they kept producing chances nothing ever materialised from them. With 15 minutes left in the game simba needed a bit of magic to get back into the game and that came from the front pair which saw Moses Jjunju craft a nice through ball for Ronne Ziwa on the right flank, who went on to lob the keeper from 40 yards in what can only be described as a moment of pure genius with sent the away supporters went into a frenzy. Cranes now played with their backs to the wall but managed to see the game out to 2-2.
After the game the simba manager said “Today was all about restoring the club’s pride after a below par season last year. We gave a few new faces a run out today and we liked what we saw from them and it’s clear next season is going to be a big season for us. I have to thank all my players because they work hard today against a good team and the back room staff too because not only have we worked hard prior to today’s game, but together as a unit we have managed to maintain our status as the Best Ugandan Club in UK and that takes some doing as we have held that title for the last 3 years running. When asked about his plans for the new season he went to say “The lads will be back into training next week as usual, we need to be fit for the forth coming season and must hit the ground running. We are in the middle of rebuilding the team cos a few players have left and we need to replace them with players who are more than capable of the job even better.” |
