National women soccer team ‘Twiga Stars’ coach, Rogasian Kaijage, has called on the government and sports stakeholders to back the team’s preparations for this year’s All Africa Games should the team dream of performing well in the competition.
The team suffered a 3-2 defeat to Zambia in the return leg match of the Games’ qualifiers at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Friday but progressed to the forthcoming event after recording a 6-5 aggregate win.
Twiga Stars trounced Zambia 4-2 in the first leg game played at the latter’s venue two weeks back.
Kaijage said his squad needs adequate preparations for the Games and insisted that there is a need for sports stakeholders in the country to join forces with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and see to it that the team prepares well for the event.
“This team needs international friendly matches to gain experience. There is no domestic tournament for the girls to help them stay in good shape, thus they have to rely on training sessions at the national team level,” he said.
The squad had an impressive start to the game on Friday but then sat back in the second half and allowed Zambia to attack and score the goals.
Shepolopolo’s coach, Albert Kachinga said he was not disappointed by his team’s failure to make it to the Games’ finals as it is still a young outfit that lacks experience.
“It was an interesting game. I’m not disappointed despite having been kicked out in the qualifiers. It is still a new team and this is the second international match for the squad.
The first was against the same opponents played in Zambia,” he said, noting that the squad needs to work on coordination and endurance.
The hosts started the Friday game impressively and notched the first goal on the second minute through prolific striker, Asha Rashid.
The well drilled forward was released by team mate on the right flank and dribbled past Zambia’s left back, Lweendo Chisau, before unleashing a power- backed shot that swerved past Zambia keeper, Hazel Nali, and sailed into the net.
Zambia re-organized and went close on the ninth minute when striker, Rachel Misozi, sped down the right flank and floated in a good cross but the chance went begging.
Twiga had an opportunity to add a second goal on the 11th minute when skillful winger, Mwanahamisi Abdallah, outpaced a Zambia defender on the right flank and whipped in a cross but none of the team mates was in Zambia’s penalty area to seek out the net.
Zambia’s winger, Barbra Banda, created two good chances for team mates on the 17th and 18th minutes but both chances were haltingly followed up.
Twiga’s Asha whipped in a good cross from the left flank and winger, Donisia Daniel controlled the ball well inside Zambia’s penalty area but then fluffed a shot.
Mwanahamisi doubled Twiga’s lead on the 28th minute when she pounced on the rebound inside Zambia’s penalty area and banged home to give the home side’s fans reasons to cheer noisily.
With fans expecting another convincing win by Twiga Stars, Zambia unexpectedly were a rejuvenated side in the second half and the latter managed to reduce the deficit through striker, Grace Chanda, on the 52nd minute, when she tapped in a cross by Barbra from the right.
Zambia pressed forward in search of an equalizer and the side’s efforts paid off when second half substitute, Ireen Lungu, slotted in a spot kick her team won on the 61st minute after one of Twiga defenders appeared to have blocked a shot by a Zambia striker by hand inside Twiga’s penalty area.
Twiga were forced into a more defensive approach in the closing stages as Zambia piled attacks and the latter grabbed the third goal in the first minute of the added on time when Rachel was released by team mate inside Twiga’s penalty area and the former easily beat Twiga keeper, Fatuma Omary, with a left footed shot.
The team suffered a 3-2 defeat to Zambia in the return leg match of the Games’ qualifiers at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Friday but progressed to the forthcoming event after recording a 6-5 aggregate win.
Twiga Stars trounced Zambia 4-2 in the first leg game played at the latter’s venue two weeks back.
Kaijage said his squad needs adequate preparations for the Games and insisted that there is a need for sports stakeholders in the country to join forces with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and see to it that the team prepares well for the event.
“This team needs international friendly matches to gain experience. There is no domestic tournament for the girls to help them stay in good shape, thus they have to rely on training sessions at the national team level,” he said.
The squad had an impressive start to the game on Friday but then sat back in the second half and allowed Zambia to attack and score the goals.
Shepolopolo’s coach, Albert Kachinga said he was not disappointed by his team’s failure to make it to the Games’ finals as it is still a young outfit that lacks experience.
“It was an interesting game. I’m not disappointed despite having been kicked out in the qualifiers. It is still a new team and this is the second international match for the squad.
The first was against the same opponents played in Zambia,” he said, noting that the squad needs to work on coordination and endurance.
The hosts started the Friday game impressively and notched the first goal on the second minute through prolific striker, Asha Rashid.
The well drilled forward was released by team mate on the right flank and dribbled past Zambia’s left back, Lweendo Chisau, before unleashing a power- backed shot that swerved past Zambia keeper, Hazel Nali, and sailed into the net.
Zambia re-organized and went close on the ninth minute when striker, Rachel Misozi, sped down the right flank and floated in a good cross but the chance went begging.
Twiga had an opportunity to add a second goal on the 11th minute when skillful winger, Mwanahamisi Abdallah, outpaced a Zambia defender on the right flank and whipped in a cross but none of the team mates was in Zambia’s penalty area to seek out the net.
Zambia’s winger, Barbra Banda, created two good chances for team mates on the 17th and 18th minutes but both chances were haltingly followed up.
Twiga’s Asha whipped in a good cross from the left flank and winger, Donisia Daniel controlled the ball well inside Zambia’s penalty area but then fluffed a shot.
Mwanahamisi doubled Twiga’s lead on the 28th minute when she pounced on the rebound inside Zambia’s penalty area and banged home to give the home side’s fans reasons to cheer noisily.
With fans expecting another convincing win by Twiga Stars, Zambia unexpectedly were a rejuvenated side in the second half and the latter managed to reduce the deficit through striker, Grace Chanda, on the 52nd minute, when she tapped in a cross by Barbra from the right.
Zambia pressed forward in search of an equalizer and the side’s efforts paid off when second half substitute, Ireen Lungu, slotted in a spot kick her team won on the 61st minute after one of Twiga defenders appeared to have blocked a shot by a Zambia striker by hand inside Twiga’s penalty area.
Twiga were forced into a more defensive approach in the closing stages as Zambia piled attacks and the latter grabbed the third goal in the first minute of the added on time when Rachel was released by team mate inside Twiga’s penalty area and the former easily beat Twiga keeper, Fatuma Omary, with a left footed shot.
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