SIMBA SC's NBC Premier League title challenge took a blow on Saturday as Abdelhak Benchikha's side was held to a 1-1 draw by Ihefu SC at Liti Stadium in Singida.

The ‘Msimbazi Reds’ dominated proceedings early on but fell behind, as Ihefu SC went 1-0 up thanks to a Duke Abuya strike three minutes before the half-time break.

Clatous Chama was required to level from the spot after Ihefu SC defender Mukrim Issa brought down forward Denis Kibu in the 71st minute.

Simba SC still squandered several golden opportunities when the scores were level and have now failed to score in open play in three of their last four games after wasteful displays against Egypt’s Al Ahly (CAF Champions League) and Mashujaa FC (CRDB Federation Cup).

The draw means Simba SC remains in third place in the table six points behind leaders Young Africans SC and a point shy of second-placed Azam who were scheduled to take on Namungo FC on Sunday evening.

Simba SC assistant coach Selemani Matola has conceded that his club has a finishing problem as it extended its winless run to four games.

“The match was good, we were able to possess the ball, especially in the first half but our inherent problem persisted,” the former Simba SC midfielder said.

The tactician stated: “We created chances and if we could have used them in the first half, we would be talking of a different result. But failure to use the chances we created led the game to a 1-1 draw.”

The gaffer remarked: “If you look at the four games, we created more chances than the opponents we met. We have a finishing problem.”

“The coach always gets hurt when the team doesn't create chances but we have been creating chances and finishing has been a problem for us.”

A frustrated Matola added they have to sit down and address the finishing problem, disclosing: “We have an issue here, we need to ask ourselves as the technical bench to be able to create more chances and to be able to fix on how to use the opportunities we get.”

Matola and his players now have a four-day break between their next game which will afford them a chance to ‘reset’ and rediscover their scoring touch.

Their next assignment is a top-flight tie against long-time rivals Young Africans SC at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.