- Gor Mahia suffered a 2-0 defeat to Tanzanian giants Simba during the Simba Day 2025 celebrations.
- The match was staged at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Wednesday, September 10.
- Simba unveiled new signings before the Gor Mahia clash that day.
Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia were forced to return home with nothing but lessons to learn from after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Tanzanian giants Simba in the Simba Day 2025 celebrations staged at a packed Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
In the clash that marked the 17th edition of the Simba Day and the club’s 89th anniversary, goals from Mohamed Hamza and Steven Mukwala got the job done for the hosts who did not disappoint the thousands of fans who flooded the celebrations.
In the match, newly appointed Gor boss Charles Akonnor opted to bring in Sylvester Owino and Michael Kibwage straight into the starting squad despite the duo featuring in the Harambee Stars vs Seychelles FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier in Nairobi less than 30 hours earlier.
There was nothing to write home about in the opening minutes until Simba got what looked like an innocuous free kick seven minutes in.
Poor marking in the box allowed Hamza a free header that gave Simba the lead in the seventh minute.
ALSO READ: Alphonce Omija completes move to Tunisia’s Etoile Sportive du Sahel
Halfway through the first half, the Ghanaian tactican made the first change as he subbed off Mark Shaban for Austine Odhiambo who showed flashes of brilliance but nothing to alter the scoreboard as Simba held the narrow lead at the break.
Just minutes into the second half, Simba caught Gor napping at the back as a long ball from behind found their winger in acres of space down the right.
Mukwala was on hand to capitalise as he fired the low cross past Gad Mathew in the Gor goal.
Gor Mahia looked a much better side in the second half especially with the introduction of CHAN 2024 standout player Alpha Onyango.
The 21-time Kenyan champions dominated possession and even carved great opportunities to score but poor finishing cost the team with Simba sealing the comfortable win.
The game concluded preseason plans for Simba who have not won the mainland Tanzania Premier League title for the past four seasons.
Simba unveiled new players prior to Gor Mahia clash on Simba Day
In the upcoming 25/26 campaign, the Fadlu Davids-coached side have managed to sign various new players including goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman who joins last season’s first choice Moussa Camara and Hussein Abel.
Also in the list are defenders Anthony Mligo, Wilson Nangu and Rushine De Reuck. They join the past season who have been reinstated such as Shomari Kapombe, David Kameta, Abdulrazack Hamza and Chamou Karaboue.
The club’s new midfielders are Alassane Kante, Semfuko Charles, Morice Abraham, Neo Maema, Naby Camara, and Mohammed Bajaber.
They join other namely Mzamiru, Ladaki Chasambi, Joshua Mutale, Awesu Awesu, Yusuph Kagoma and Jean Charles.
The Msimbazi Street giants also have signed two striker namely Jonathan Sowah and Seleman Mwalimu who join Steven Mukwala.