Mohammed Bajaber: Harambee Stars Forward Wins First Trophy in Tanzania as Simba Sink Rivals Yanga

Harambee Stars forward Mohammed Bajaber claimed his first major trophy at Simba SC when his club won the Muungano Cup following victory over bitter rivals Yanga.

Bajaber, whose spell at Simba has been disrupted by injuries, played a part in the cup triumph as Wekundu wa Msimbazi got one over their biggest enemy in the final played at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar on Wednesday.

The Kenyan playmaker started on the bench as Simba took on Yanga with the game being decided in extra time after a goalless draw in regulation time.

Simba delivered the knockout blow deep in extra time when Suleiman Mwalilmu converted a penalty in the 119th minute to see his side get a rare win over Yanga and draw level with the league champions with seven Muungano Cup crowns.

Zambian forward Clatous Chama had been brought down in the box by Edmund John, leading to the penalty that handed Simba the victory.

It was the first win for Simba over Yanga since August 2023 and also ended the Jangwani giants’ domestic dominance, handing them their first domestic defeat since January 2024.

Bajaber was introduced later in the contest and helped add impetus to Simba’s attack as they went in search of the winning goal.

The Kenyan forward returned to club action last week when Simba faced off with Mafunzo in the Muungano Cup quarter-final, having last featured in January before an injury ruled him out.

Simba will now turn focus to fighting for the league title, which has eluded them in the last four years, as they are second on the table with 42 points, five behind leaders Yanga after 19 games.