Neo Maema reacts to his first league goal with Simba

Neo Maema: Picture by Simba SC.

Simba SC midfielder Neo Maema has opened up on the lack of game time at the club after netting his first league goal of the season.

Maema joined the Tanzanian giants at the beginning of the season from Betway Premiership defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Unlike his fellow South African, Rushine De Reuck, who has cemented a place in the starting line-up at the club, Maema has been used mostly as a substitute.

However, he was named in the starting line-up during the 3-0 win against TRA United on Sunday and scored a stunning free-kick before he was substituted in the 70th minute.

It was the first goal in the league for Maema and a second for the season after scoring during the club’s CAF Champions League campaign.

SOUTH AFRICAN MIDFIELDER EXCITED TO SCORE HIS FIRST LEAGUE GOAL IN SIMBA SC COLOURS

“It’s always important for every player to contribute, especially in the business end of the season,” he told Simba Media.

Neo Maema: Picture by Simba SC.

“We have to come together, as attacking players, we have to continue to assist, and we have to score goals. That’s the pressure that we have to put on ourselves. I am happy that I got my first league goal. There is obviously more to come because I feel good and it’s nice to be on the pitch.”

“To share the goal with my teammates. You can see the group; there is an understanding among them. Obviously, there is a lot of work to do, but we will now go to the FIFA break, relax and make sure we come back strong.”

NEO MAEMA OPENS UP ON HOW LACK OF GAME TIME HAS AFFECTED HIM

Maema has also admitted that not having regular game time has also affected him physically.

“I haven’t been playing that much, so obviously the game was a bit difficult for me when it comes to physical capacity,” he said.

“It was a bit difficult for me because I haven’t been playing so much. So I knew that I was going to come off. But I told the coach I would come off after the free kick because I wanted to take it. By God’s grace, I scored. But I knew I was going to score.”