The closely-contested encounter saw the visitors taking a lead against the run of play in the 19th minute when Nkugwa Elkanah capitalized on poor defending by Simba rear players to beat keeper Vincent Agban with a close range effort.
But Simba drew level through the team’s industrious midfielder Jonas Mkude whose flicked header from a set piece nestled into the far post, giving goalie Mathias Muwanga no chance at all.
Both sides created a number of chances on the course of the closely contested game, but neither could alter the scoreline as both defences and their respective goalkeepers did the needful to their opponents at bay.
Simba, having secured a resounding 4-0 win over Kenya’s AFC Leopards in their previous game played last Monday, came into the fixture looking to maintain the feel-good factor that has surrounded the Msimbazi Street.
Despite a dominant start to the game, they almost conceded when the Uganda Revenue Authority side launched their first meaningful attack after 17 minutes.
Bokota Labama received the ball down the left flank following a swift counter attack and the brawny attacker charged into the box before unleashing a powerful low shot that sailed inches wide. If that did not send a warning note to Simba defenders, the next counter attack that came two minutes later did the real damage.
Labama took control of the ball on the left flank and teased his marker before swinging in a nice cross that Simba defenders failed to deal with allowing an unmarked Elkanah tap past helpless Agban. Simba were undeterred by going behind and kept pushing forward while ensuring that they kept possession.
Unlike eight days ago when they tore apart Leopards defence, they found it difficult to find a way through a rigid URA defence. Joseph Omog’s men could have drawn level after 26 minutes but Burundian Laudit Mavugo and Jamal failed to get at the end of Hamad Juma’s cross from the left wing.
Simba were not to be denied two minutes past the half hour mark. Juma was brought down as he charged down the left flank, allowing Mohamed Hussein take a free-kick that was flicked home by Mkude.
The second half was even more entertaining as both teams produced top quality performance with some eyecatching moves, but some resolute defending and excellent goalkeeping ensured the spoils were shared and deservedly so. It was the third year in a row Simba and URA were meeting at the National Stadium for a friendly build up.
URA won 1-0 in September 2014 and lost 2-1 early last year.
Simba used the fixture, their last build up ahead of the much hyped 2016/17 Mainland Premier League season, to bid farewell to their long serving striker Mussa Hassan ‘Mgosi’.
Hassan, who has been handed a team-manager role at the club, played for only three minutes before coming off. He marched around the stadium bidding farewell to the Reds supporters. Simba kick off the season with a home game to Ndanda FC on Saturday.
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