Simba fans turn on Joash Onyango after CAF Champions League elimination

Harambee Stars defender Joash Onyango has borne the brunt of criticism after Simba SC suffered a heartbreaking elimination from the CAF Champions League on Friday.

The Tanzanian giants were beaten 5-3 on post-match penalties by holders Wydad Casablanca following a 1-1 draw on aggregate but unlike the norm when those who miss spot-kicks get the blame, Simba supporters singled out Onyango for criticism over what they claimed to be ‘poor defending.’

Onyango had a solid game at the heart of the Simba defence as head coach Roberto Oliveira, better known as Robertinho, opted for a back three that also had Congolese Henoc Inonga Baka and Tanzanian Mohamed Husseini.

The 30-year-old, however, looked a little shaky in the early stages of the match when he missed a few tackles while he was outjumped by Senegalese Bouly Junior Sambou to score Wydad’s goal that leveled the tie.

“Joash Onyango is Maguire of Africa,” Meshack lamented on Twitter, while Kichaa Mtanzania said: “Kenyan people this Joash Onyango you all realised is a football player? anatia aibu TZ (he’s embarrassing us in Tanzania).”

Another fan used Marcos Rojo’s recent interview about his troubles at Manchester United as comparison.

“Marcos Rojo when he was at Manchester United said he questioned why Harry Maguire starts ahead of him. I would like to see Kennedy Juma or Momo Ouattara ask Robertinho why they do not start ahead of Joash Onyango at Simba,” said Iddy Nonga.

“Joash Onyango will kill us with pressure. Doesn’t he have a substitute?” Binamu wa Pili questioned.

However, not all agreed that Onyango was to blame with a section of fans lauding him for a good performance.

“I see everyone turning on Mr ‘half iron’ Joash Onyango. The mistakes that happened were not technical but tactical which occurs when there is pressure in the game. Simba give Joash the respect he deserves,” said a Tweeter going by the handle Sport Dot.

“The error came from (Shomari) Kapombe. Joash Onyango will be playing for long,” Tru Blaq defended the Kenyan star.

Others felt Onyango’s supposed errors could be down to the pressure the fans have been putting him under.

“Joash Onyango’s levels have dropped recently because he is playing under huge pressure from fans. The technical bench needs to help him because these repeated errors do not fit his profile,” observed Damas Michael.

Simba fans have made a habit of blaming Onyango whenever their team loses and it is the second time in one month that he is coming under heavy criticism after they called for him to be dropped after the club lost 3-1 away to Raja Casablanca in the group stages of the competition on April 1.

Robertinho has kept faith in the defender, and his loyalty has been rewarded with top performances from the former Gor Mahia man.

Simba went into Friday’s match needing a draw to reach the semi-final after winning 1-0 in Dar es Salaam last weekend but were pegged back after 24 minutes with the tie having to be decided on penalties.

Kapombe and Zambia international Clatous Chama missed their kicks as Wydad advanced after converting all their penalties to set up a potential mouth-watering semi-final with South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, who lead Algeria’s CR Belouizdad 4-1, ahead of the second leg in Pretoria on Saturday.