Simba Queens Coach puts points before performance

KIGALI: SIMBA Queens Head Coach Mussa Hassan has admitted his side were not at their best against Top Girls Academy, but insisted securing three points was the priority after their 2-0 victory at Kigali Pelé Stadium in the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifying tournament.

Simba were made to work for the result by the Burundian champions, who frustrated the Tanzanian side with a high defensive line.

Simba secured the victory through goals from Aisha Mnunka and Rida Kusamfula, who struck to seal all three points for the Tanzanian champions.

Hassan said the difficulty was partly down to the two sides having little knowledge of each other before the match, making it difficult for Simba to anticipate Top Girls’ tactical approach.

“It was a tough match because Top Girls are also champions in Burundi and have their own tactical setup,” Hassan said.

“One reason we created many chances without converting them was that teams at this level don’t know each other well. They might have known us, but we didn’t know what kind of team Top Girls were or how they played.”

The Simba coach used the halftime break to address his players’ movement, telling them to be more patient and avoid making early runs that played directly into the opposition’s offside trap.

“I told them not to rush forward, so that when the ball was played, we could break down the plan they had set up,” he said.

The adjustment proved decisive after the break. Top Girls continued with the same defensive approach, but Simba were now better prepared to exploit the space behind their defence.

“My players executed everything we instructed them to do on the pitch,” he said. “We focused on recognising when they set that trap and breaking it. That is exactly what happened; both goals were scored in that precise manner.”

Top Girls Academy Head Coach Jean Gishikizo admitted his side faced a difficult test against Simba Queens but believes they performed well.

“It was a very tough match. We lost, but we played well,” Gishikizo said, pointing to a missed penalty as a key moment that shifted the momentum of the game.

The Burundian coach now knows his side face a must-win encounter against Kenya Police Bullets FC in their next fixture. Gishikizo said Top Girls will need to make adjustments if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.

“In our next match against Police, we must win to stay in; if they beat us, we are out,” he said. “We are going to make adjustments and if possible, we will get the victory.”