Moro Police boss defiant after defeat

Morogoro Police’s player is challenged by Didier Kavumbagu of Young Africans during their Vodacom Premier League match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday. Right is Kavumbagu’s teammate David Luhende. Yanga won 3-0 . Photo |michael matemanga

By Majuto Omary
The Citizen Reporter
Dar es Salaam. Morogoro Police head coach John Simkoko remains confident his team will find their way out of trouble despite yet another setback in their Vodacom Premier League match against Young Africans.
“It’s too early in the season to hit a button of pressure,” the unflappable coach said in an interview with The Citizen after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at the National Stadium.

Questions have been raised over Simkoko’s future following the law-enforcers’ embarrassing start to a league campaign.
While some feel that Wednesday’s defeat, the seventh for Morogoro Police this season, is a clear indication that they will not avoid relegation when the league comes to a close early next year, Simkoko remains defiant, arguing that the result is not at all indicative of his team’s abilities.

“I think we played well. We managed to put them at bay at one point in the second half but suddenly found ourselves down 3-0,” Simkoko, one of the oldest coaches in the Mainland Premier League, said.
“I have a number of quality players at my disposal, it’s only lack of confidence that cost us dearly in our last seven matches,” he insisted.

Police have been far from impressive this season. They have been marking time at the bottom of the 14-team league since the kick off of the top flight league.

They have two points after nine games, 17 behind league leaders Simba and 15 adrift of Yanga.
Other teams that bank on a miracle to avoid relegation are Mwanza’s Toto African and African Lyon, who are 12th and 13th after as many matches.

While Morogoro Police, African Lyon and Toto African battle for survival, it is now a three-horse race for the title involving pace-setters Simba, Azam FC and Yanga.

After a wobbly start to the league, Yanga have been improving after every game. They are now third with 17 points, one behind second-placed Azam FC and two adrift of Simba.Simkoko assured Morogoro Police fans that their first win this season will come on Saturday at the expense of Ruvu Shooting at Chamazi complex.

On Wednesday, Ruvu Shooting forced Azam FC to a one-all at the Chamazi venue, and it is unrealistic that struggling Police will beat them on Saturday.