Simba Coach in sight for runners-up finish.

Simba SC head coach, Serbian Goran Kopunovic

Simba SC head coach, Serbian Goran Kopunovic is confident his side stands a chance to finish runners-up in the Mainland premier league.

 

Simba thrashed Tanga’s Mgambo Shooting by 4-0 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday to earn 38 points and consequently reduce their points’ margin with second-placed Azam FC to four.

 

The Msimbazi Street side is also eleven points adrift of league’s runaway leaders, Yanga, who edged Shinyanga’s Stand United 3-2 at the same venue a day before. 

 

Kopunovic heaped praises on his team for coming out victorious but showed concern on the squad’s lack of concentration in the early stages of the game.

 

“We were a bit lazy early on in the first half but we played well thereafter. Finishing in the second position is, mathematically, possible but we are focusing on game by game approach…we are now concentrating on the game against Ndanda FC”, Kopunovic said.

 

“If the team is creating chances, you definitely know that it has what it takes to excel, so, I’m satisfied with the (squad’s) performance,” he added.

 

Mgambo Shooting coach Bakari Shime, admitted his side was outplayed in the first half but the former bounced back in the second half and had several good chances that were, however, not fully exploited.

 

“I accept the defeat; Simba played well and scored the four goals. We were below par in the first half and allowed easy goals but we then bounced back in the second half and pressed forward now and then”, Shime said.

 

He expressed optimism over the team’s ability to maintain its presence in the league next season, saying the squad has to put its best performance to grab three points in the next game.   

   

Azam have the opportunity to; again, maintain a seven-point gap with Simba when the former host Stand United at the Azam Complex in the city on Saturday. 

 

Ugandan striker Emmanuel Okwi, notched a hat-trick and winger, Ramadhan Singano, scored the other goal for Simba to give the squad’s fans huge relief.

 

The win helped Simba revenge for the 2-0 loss the team suffered to the Tanga side in the first leg played at the latter’s venue, Mkwakwani Stadium. Simba, moreover, managed to put behind bitter memories of a 2-0 loss to Mbeya City in the game played at the latter’s venue, Sokoine Stadium, last Saturday.

 

Owki, who missed the game against Mbeya City for having collected three yellow cards in previous games, turned out to be a constant menace to Mgambo Shooting defenders, who were, at times forced to deploy a rather more physical approach in preventing the striker from either creating chances for fellow attackers or scoring.

 

Okwi also missed a clear chance midway through the first half when he was set up by team mate outside Mgambo Shooting penalty area and beat the latter’s keeper, Godson Mmasa but then shot narrowly wide with a yawning goal at his mercy. 

 

Mgambo also managed to fashion out several good scoring opportunities in either half but the team’s striking force disappointingly failed to make the most of the chances.

 

The team’s best chance came on the second minute, when the squad’s winger, Salum Gila, was bundled down by Simba fullback left, Mohamed Hussein, a few metres outside the latter’s box and the resulting free kick was then deflected by Simba right fullback, Kessy Ramadhan, toward his own goal but keeper, Ivo Mapunda quickly reacted to parry the ball away.

 

Mgambo’s prolific striker, Malimi Busungu, then outfoxed Simba’s Hussein outside the latter’s box on the 18th minute but the muscular Mgambo goal getter then attempted a fierce shot that went narrowly wide.

 

Mgambo were a rejuvenated side in the second half, in which the team pushed forward now and then only to be let down profligacy. The team’s wingers, Ally Nassor and Aziz Gila, attacked relentlessly on either flank and created chances for strikers, Busungu and Fulgence Maganga, but the latter wasted the chances.   

 

The team had the best chance to grab a consolation goal on the 87th minute, when Nassor got the better of Simba defenders in the latter’s box but the former then lost control when attempting to bang the ball home. Gila, who was lurking around, then pounced on the loose ball but agonizingly shot over Simba’s crossbar.

 

Msuva, Sherman braces sink Ruvu Shooting.

Simon Msuva.

Lethal striker Simon Msuva and Kpah Sherman each scored twice to earn Yanga a 5-0 win over Ruvu Shooting in a Mainland Premier League match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

It took Msuva 17 minutes to score the first goal for Yanga before Sherman headed home the second ten minutes later. 

Msuva scored the third a minute before the breather, sealing the game quite early and enhancing his top scorer position in the league with 16 goals.

Amissi Tambwe used Haruna Niyonzima’s pass to register the fourth goal in the 57th minute for the Jangwani Street side. It was Sherman again who scored the fifth goal in the 68th minute after coordinating well with Juma Abdul.

The massive win makes Yanga come closer to winning this year’s title as they have chalked up 52 points, while no other side has 45 points as yet while Azam would cross that mark with another win today, standing at 43 points.

Meanwhile, Simba SC host Ndanda FC of Mtwara in a Mainland Premiewr League as they fight for a place to represent the country in the Confederation Cup next year.

A win in today’s game at the National stadium in Dar es Salaam will also boost their chances in the premier league race which they are competing with Azam FC in the second slot.

Simba hit Mgambo Shooting 4-0 on  the same ground ion their last match staged last Wednesday.

If the Dar es salaam side win, they play that Azam FC which are currently in the second place lose in their game against Stand United to be staged at Azam Complex, Chamazi.

Simba coach Goran Kopunovic  predicts for an entertaining match while Ndanda FC coach Abdul Mingange says that it will be a do or die game.

Simba won the first leg match 2-0 .

Simba are third with 38 points while Ndanda are placed 12th with 25 points.

'We were lucky', says Yanga coach

Coach Hans van Pluijm.

Mailand premier soccer league pacemakers Young Africans might have put lackluster performance in a hard-fought 3-2 victory over visiting Stand United at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, but winning three points was all that mattered, the team’s coach Hans van Pluijm, has said.

 

Yanga came from a goal down to grab the crucial three points but the team defensive displays, to some extent, left a lot to be desired. The squad's defense marshaled by  Mbuyu Twite and Rajab Zahir struggled to contain Stand United strikers who were led by their prolific Nigerian import striker Absirim Chidiebere. 

 

Yanga’s Burundi striker Amisi Tambwe, scored the first goal for the league leaders on the 30th minute and speedy striker, Mrisho Ngasa, banged in the second goal on the third minute of the first half's added on time. 

 

Winger Simon Msuva, who currently leads the chase for the league's golden boot award, scored the third for the Jangwani Street side from the spot kick on the 79th minute to bring his goals' tally to 14.

 

The victory has seen Yanga widen their points' gap with the league's defending champions and second-placed Azam FC to seven. Azam had edged Kagera Sugar 2-1 in the match played at the Azam Complex last Saturday to collect 42 points. 

 

Striker Kheri Khalifa scored Stand United's two goals in the Tuesday game in either half.

 

Pluijm admitted that Stand United staged stiff opposition to his team for the better part of the game and the former noted that the latter's defensive mistakes were fully exploited by the Shinyanga side to notch the two goals.

 

"They (Stand United) have given us a very tough match. The two goals they scored against us were caused by defensive mistakes...there was no communication between defenders", Pluijm said.

 

"They could have equalised (the third goal) with the chance they had in the closing stages of the match...it has not been our day". 

"All in all, I'm happy with the three points we have got because that's what we are after", the Netherlands coach added.

 

Stand United coach, Ugandan Mathias Lule, expressed satisfaction over the performance showcased by his team and disclosed that luck was not in his squad's side.

 

"The performance was good, it has not been our chance. We are, though, still striving to maintain our place in the league next season", Lule said.

 

Yanga missed the services of their key first choice squad's players, central defenders, skipper Nadir Haroub and Kelvin Yondani, as well as midfielder Salum Telela who are nursing injuries.

 

Yanga will have an opportunity to officially wrestle the league's title from Azam, when the former take on Ruvu Shooting at the same venue tomorrow. 

Pinda says Tanzanians in Diaspora will not vote.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda.

The pending review of the Election Act, 1985 and the challenges facing voters’ registration in the Biometric Voter Register (BVR) have heavily hammered Tanzanians in Diaspora in that they will not vote in the General Elections come October.

 

Announcing this at the weekend in London, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda said since the law requires all voters to be registered in the permanent voters’ registrar, the government will be compelled to purchase enough BVR kits for all its embassies so as to facilitate the registration of the diasporas.

 

“I don’t see it possible this year, may be in the 2020 General Elections. There is a combination of factors to consider, including the review of the Election Act, 1985 and procurement of enough BVR kits,” Pinda said when talking to Tanzanians living in the United Kingdom on Saturday evening.

 

The Prime Minister was speaking at the residence of the Tanzanian High Commissioner, Peter Kallaghe at Northern High Gate in London.

 

In February this year, however, Pinda told the National Assembly in Dodoma that Tanzanians in diaspora are likely to have a chance to take part – as voters – in this year’s General Elections.

 

Besides addressing the elections issue, Pinda also handed over more than 40 copies of the proposed constitution, insisting them to read the proposed Mother Law critically so that they could compare it with the current Constitution of 1977.

 

“One of the challenges that we are facing concerning the new Constitution is that some people do believe that it has nothing new … I want you to read the entire document and give us your feedback because I believe the proposed constitution has so many new components,” the Premier said, while admitting that some of the sections were changed but with good intentions.

 

Responding during the PM's Questions and Answers session in the National Assembly early this year, Pinda announced that both the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) have already started working on modalities to allow Tanzanian in Diaspora to exercise their democratic right.

 

He however admitted that there are technical difficulties to the aspiration that need to be addressed. 

 

When responding to a question raised by former Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe earlier last year, Pinda affirmed that there were no plans whatsoever to postpone the Constitution referendum that was slated for end of this month. 

 

He however insisted that the new Constitution would be in place while President Jakaya Kikwete is still in office.

 

Addressing Dodoma elders in November last year, President Kikwete affirmed that the referendum date was set on April 30, 2015 and announced that the campaign period was to commence on March 30 and end on April 28, 2015.

 

Early this month, NEC announced to postpone indefinitely the referendum for the proposed constitution.

 

NEC Chairman, Judge (retired) Damian Lubuva, said the postponement was due to the failure to complete updating the permanent voter register.

 

The referendum voting was scheduled for April 30, this year after the finalisation of updating voters’ details through the BVR system.

 

BVR registration started in Njombe Region in February, this year, when the Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda, launched the exercise.

 

Judge Lubuva said the government has paid USD72m for the purchase of 8,000 BVR kits. The exercise was earlier planned to start in 2014, but was delayed after the government failed to provide the electoral body with the needed funding. NEC had received only 250 kits so far.

 

Late last year, NEC conducted the BVR in Katavi Region, Kilombero as well as Kawe as a pilot study for which Justice Lubuva said, the results from Kawe (Dar es Salaam), Kilombero (Morogoro) and Katavi constituencies showed that the system was viable enough for the referendum and the General Elections.  

 

In Kawe constituency 15,123 out of 27,148 voters were registered in Bunju ward, while 6,200 out of 8,278 were registered in Mbweni, NEC said.

 

On the other hand, in Kilombero constituency 19,188 people from Ifakara, Kakingiuka, Ipangala and Viwanja Sitini wards were registered surpassing NEC’s 17, 790 projection.

 

In Katavi constituency, Ikuba, Usevya and Kibaoni wards 11,210 voters were registered while the expectation was 11, 394.

Yanga thump Mbeya City.

Yanga fans celebrate victory over Mbeya City. Yanga won 3-1.

Young Africans have intensified their inexorable quest to win this year’s Mainland premier soccer league title after thumping visiting Mbeya City by 3-1 goals in their return leg match played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

 

Goals from Kpah Sherma, Nadir Haroub and Salum Telela were enough to freeze the visitors who secured a consolation through Themi Felix.

 

The teams progressed into the dressing rooms with hosts Yanga enjoying a 2-1 goal lead.

 

The victory has elevated Yanga to the top of the standings table with 46 points while opening an eight-point cushion over holders Azam FC. Azam have a huge task of defending the title with few matches left on the season’s fixture. The ice-cream makers have 38 points while Simba are third on the standings.  This is Yanga’s fifth back to back win.

Geita shines in volleyball.

Volleyball.

Geita volleyball team started this year’s Mwanza regional volleyball league at a cracking pace after posting two wins at Magu Secondary School’s court in the region last Saturday.

 

The Mwanza Regional Volleyball Association (Mwareva)-organised event has attracted eleven teams competing in the men and women categories in a bid to realise effective promotion of the game in the Laze Zone region.

 

Geita cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Ukerewe in the opening match and the former, then recorded a hard-fought 3-2 win over the league’s defending champions, Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Club.

 

Geita’s intention to take control of the first match was made clear when the team claimed a 25-17 win in the first set and the team went on to win 25-16 in the second set and held off their opponents’ pressure to win 25-20 in the third set.

 

Geita, though, were forced to dig deep and overcome BoT Club in the following match as the former started the game impressively to win 25-23 in the first set but the defending champions then took control of the second and third sets to claim 25-20 and 25-17 wins, respectively. 

 

BoT’s hopes of sealing the win in the fourth set were shattered as Geita claimed a 25-21 win to level matters and the latter, thereafter, won 15-11 in the deciding fifth set.

 

It was the second consecutive defeat for BoT Club on the day as the side also lost 3-2 to Nyakato earlier. Nyakato won 25-21 and 25-23 in the first and second sets respectively, only to see BoT claim the following two sets with 26-24 and 25-18 wins. 

 

Nyakato, however, were too strong for BoT in the deciding fifth set, as the former cruised to a 15-7 win.  

 

In the other match, hosts Magu lost 3-2 to Ukerewe in a tightly contested duel. Magu won 25-17 in the first set but Ukerewe leveled maters with a 25-18 win in the second set. 

 

The third set saw Magu edge their opponents 25-22 but the latter took the fourth set with a 25-20 win to push the match into the deciding fifth set, which saw Ukerewe grab a 15-10 win.

 

In the day’s only match for the women category, Magu ladies spared their male counterparts’ flaws with a convincing 3-1 win over the category’s defending champions, BoT Club.

 

BoT ladies won 25-22 in the first set but Magu fought back gallantly to take the second set with a 25-5 win and went on to claim 25-20 and 25-23 wins in the subsequent two sets.

 

Mwareva acting secretary general Franck Mganga, said the next matches are expected to take place at the Ukerewe venue on April 25 and the official also noted that the Mwanza regional volleyball body will convene a meeting with officials of the league’s participating clubs on April 19.  

Coastal Union still have faith in Kihwelo.

Coastal Union

Despite a record equaling 8-0 thrashing  by pace makers and champions to be Young Africans, Tanga-based top flight side of Coastal Union still have expressed deep confidence in their coach Jamhuri Kihwelo.

 

The team’s spokesman Oscar Assenga has been reported to rule out rumors surrounding the possible sacking of the coach who took over from Kenyan James Nandra last month.

 

The highest losing margin for a team since the new premiership franchise was established in 2008/9 was Ruvu Shooting who concede3d seven goals at the hands of Young Africans last season. Before then it was Kagera Sugar who lost 8-0 goals at the hands of Yanga during the Mainland soccer league in 1998.

 

Kihwelo whose employment with Coastal Union is a temporary move, is a full time coach of the newly promoted Mwadui FC of Shinyanga.

 

Under Kihwelo’s reign, Coastal Union has posted two wins over JKT siblings of Mgambo and Ruvu.

 

The teams also lost their three consecutive matches to Azam FC, Prisons and Yanga also notching draws with Kagera Sugar and Ruvu Shooting.

 

 It was widely anticipated that outspoken Kihwelo would have been axed by the Tanga side as a result of the comprehensive thrashing but Asenga has denied the allegations.

 

"Kihwelo will still remain as our head coach up to the end of the season. Thereafter the team will be under Coach Joseph Lazaro who used to train Coastal Union’s closest rivals Africans Sports, the newly promoted team in the premiership for next season.

 

 

 Kihwelo resisted a pressure to step down soon after the 8-0 thrashing at the National Stadium wondering why Brazilian coach Philippe Louis Scolari did not take the move after losing the world Cup semifinal by 7-0 goals to eventual champions Germany last year.

 

The coach stuck to his guns and when he was given another opportunity he led the team into a fabulous 2-0 goal victory over JKT Ruvu in a match played at the Chamazi Stadium on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam last Saturday.

 

Goals by Kenyan striker Rama Salim through a tenth minute penalty and Nigerian Ike Bright’s power-packed shot sealed the precious victory for Coastal Union last Saturday as the side moved five steps away from the relegation-borderline.

 

Yanga host City

Yanga

Yanga host Mbeya City in a Mainland Premier League match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam this afternoon.

If the host side wins today it will further boost their chances of winning the title as they will reach 46 points.

Yanga who hit Coastal Union 8-0 in their last Wednesday game will be in their last premier league game before facing Etoile du Sahel next Saturday in a Confederation Cup match at the same venue. Yanga coach Hans van der Pluijm said today’s game will be tough, also admitting that Mbeya City was a good side as well.

The Jangwani Street outfit will likely use the services of Amissi Tambwe and Simon Msuva upfront, lately competing in goal scoring.

Tambwe scored four goals in their game against Coastal Union while Msuva tallied two to bring his score to 13 goals in the league.

Msuva is among players competing for the golden boot this year.
City has been a tough side especially when it plays top teams like Yanga, Simba or Azam FC.

The team’s head coach Juma Mwambusi insists that they have prepared well to face their opponents and the results will be known after 90 minutes.

City drew 1-1 against defending champions Azam FC in their away match staged at the Azam Complex in Chamazi.

Yanga defeated City 3-1 in the first leg game played at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.

City are placed eighth with 25 points.
Elsewhere,Stand United host Polisi Morogoro in another match at the Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga.

Twiga Stars Games preps need support - Coach

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.

National women basketball tourney starts today

The national women basketball championship is expected to start at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam today.

The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) has organized the tournament in a bid to uplift the standard of the game among women in the country.

The federation’s women development commission official, Angela Bondo, said the event will take place for four days under the sponsorship of CRDB Bank.

Bondo said the tournament, which is also held as part of activities to mark the World Women’s Day, was previously expected to take place on March 8 but lack of financial support forced the event’s re-scheduling.

Participating teams in the tournament are JKT Stars, Jeshi Stars, Don Bosco Lionesses, Magereza, Ukonga Queens and Lord Baden. 

She said the tournament also gears towards attracting more women in the country to the sport.

 JKT Stars’ coach, Alfred Ngalaliji, congratulated the TBF women development commission for organizing the tournament.

Ngalaliji admitted that the tournament will be tough as participating outfits’ level of competence is generally comparable.

 JKT Stars’ experienced player, Doritha Mbunda, said the tournament will help her side prepare for this year’s National Basketball League (NBL).

Yanga score-line a one-off event, but it reveals cracks in team structure

Veteran premier league side Coastal Union FC of Tanga could not comprehend the full results of their encounter with top placed contenders Young Africans SC of Dar es Salaam, with a score of 0-8 at the end of ninety minutes, and with the scoring distributed a bit evenly during the match. 

What that means is that it wasn’t just a spurt of energy after plenty of resistance but net superiority in all departments, for a team that hasn’t always been a pushover, and not certainly newcomers to the premier league contention.

While head coach Jamhuri Kihwelo ‘Julio’ isn’t in danger in his job, he may have frozen a bit.

Such scores as in the Yanga-Coastal game don’t show what a team is capable of but specific snags in how it played, and by accessory, a hidden weakness which was hitherto not quite grasped, whether with the team or with the coach, as often they are indistinguishable.

A team can be weak because the coach does not know how to use the players in the right manner, and alternatively it can be weak momentarily if the other side discovers a weakness that no one else had noticed earlier.

Even with that kind of discovery there has to be excellent combination to be able to make good use of it, and that happened.

In that case the first person to learn something when a team is thoroughly beaten is the coach, but only if he is in a position to do something about it, like putting up a more effective defence method, where no quick succession of goals is possible.

 At the same time the chances of finding such a weakness and using it might be so narrow, that they need a particular combination of players which so far only Yanga would have succeeded to find such a pattern, in which case it might not be something for the coach to actually do something about it. It is one of those things, like in the Brazil-Germany encounter mid 2014.

Curiously enough, there are other combinations which are hard to figure out but often come up with some profound scrutiny, or a pattern of questioning and plotting results against chance factors like ground or day of the week.

At one time someone said Yanga has never defeated Simba (or was it the other way round) if they play at the National Stadium on a Saturday but it could win on a Sunday, and then another said that if it rains, Simba (or the other way round) stands a solid chance to win, or is by far and away the favorite.

They are irrational factors governing results, and no coach can act on such items.

If one goes far enough, at times there are personal chance factors that come into play, or the jersey color that the losing team would have put on, and that sort of thing.

But the point is that if one was to go far into that result and examine a series of psychological factors, some unfamiliar relationships would come up that bring up that result as a credible outcome for that particular day.

At times it prefigures something else, for instance when Arsenal lost by a similar margin (1-8) (was it to Manchester United) and they went all out for a defender, a top level snatch, buying German international Per Mertesacker.

The name, pronounced or interpreted in Kiswahili or eastern Bantu, means searching for the person…. By any chance Coastal Union have to think of boosting their defences, as it is possible someone might have been missing from injury, or simply struggling to play to standard or to form, and a gap opened up as in the Brazilian night, or the famous city rivals’ encounter in 1976 when Yanga lost 0-6. 

It is mostly a one-off event where the club might discover some unsavory things about the strength of its line up, and if it doesn’t quite succeed in doing that, simply curse its luck.

However, someone’s position would be a bit insecure, either the players as the registration season approaches, or the coach, for club confidence.

Mbeya pugilist wins in Songea.

Mbeya based boxer Benki Mwakalebela, expressed strong intention to cement his place among successful heavyweight boxers at the domestic level after commanding a second-round technical knockout win over Mbinga’s Roy Mbunda in a non-title at Majimaji Stadium in Ruvuma early this week.

 

Victory in the scheduled eight-round bout  which was the day’s main card, has improved Mwakalebela’s record to 12 wins that include eight knockouts and one knockout loss in a total of 13 fights.  Mbunda’s record now stands at 12 wins (six knockouts), seven losses (six knockouts) and a draw in a total of 20 bouts.

 

The day’s supporting fights saw Dotto Halai grab a third-round technical knockout win over Athuman Mjenda in the bout that was scheduled for four rounds, whereas the super middleweight fight between Bagaza Mwambene and Bonus Mbunda  was declared as a draw.

 

Musa Chitepete overcame Jentu Bhuka by points in a six-round, 59kg bout while Yunus Bakari registered a second-round knockout of Mecky Mwaikambo in the fight that was scheduled for six rounds.

 

Aziz Zubeir beat Vumilia Kazomba by points in the four-round 57kg fight and the day’s only fight that brought together female boxers saw Halima Yazidu beat Fauzia Daudi by points in the four-round, 57kg contest.

 

Kayumba Boxing Promotions organised the fights that were sanctioned by Tanzania Professional Boxing Commission (TPBC) with the objective of strengthening promotion of the sport in the region. 

 

Meanwhile, domestic lightweight boxing sensation, Tanga's Allen Kamote is expected to defend his Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) world lightweight title against Kilimanjaro's Emilio Norfat at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga on May 2.

 

The 12-round bout will be a crucial opportunity for Kamote (25(14)-7(4)-4) to showcase his virtuosity and prove he merits a place among successful domestic professional boxers.

 

Kamote will also be seeking to successfully bounce back from a sixth round knockout loss to Ghanaian, George Ashie in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa interim lightweight title bout held at the latter's venue last December.

 

Norfat will take the ring on the back of majority decision win over Mohamed Matumla in a non-title bout at the Friends' Corner hall in Dar es Salaam early this year.

 

In one of the day's supporting fights will see Morogoro's Cosmas Cheka face Tanga's Said Mundi, whereas Jacob Maganga will fight Fadhil Kea. 

 

Juma Mustafa will lock horns with Ally Magoma, Simon Zablon will fight Hamisi Mwakinyo, Jumanne Mohamed will take on Bakari Shendekwa and Zubeir Kitandura will fight Rajabu Mahoja. Tanga-based Mwazoa Boxing Promotions has organised the fights.

She-Polopolo arrive in Dar.

The She-Polopolo Zambia national women soccer team.

Zambia national women soccer team was expected to arrive in Dar es Salaam early this morning ahead of their return leg match of the All Africa Games’ qualifier against hosts Twiga Stars tomorrow.

 

 The Zambian ladies’ team comprises 18 players and seven officials on board the flight. After arrival, the team is lined up for a training session later in the evening at the National Stadium where the crucial tie will be played tomorrow.

 

  Coach of the team will join a Tanzanian counterpart at a press conference to be held in at the Tanzania Football Federation’s premises later this morning.

 

The Zambian contingent will be under head of the delegation Lenny Khuwa, head coach Albert Kachinga and his assistant Kape Saili, goalkeeping coach Yona Phiri, physicians James Nyimbili  and Conerlia Chazura and Besa Chibwe, the team manager.

 

Players lined up for the tour are namely, Rachel Nachula, Annie Kibanji, Chiko Nkhoma, Osala Kaleo, Joana Benai, Meya Banda (captain), Misozi CR Chisamu, Jane Nshika Chalwe, Milika Limwanya, Mary Wilombe, Grace Chanda, Barbra Banda, Memory Mwaseba, Hazel Natasha Nali, Martha Tembo, Mary Mwakapila and Irene Lungu.

 

 Match officials for the game who are Ugandans were expected to arrive yesterday and these are  Anna Akoyi, Nakkito Nkumbi, Jane  Mutonyi. Fourth official is Nabikko Ssemambo while match commissioner is South African   Nomsa Jacobeth Mahlangu.

 

Hosts Twiga Stars will kick off the return leg with massive psychological boost having won the first leg played in Lusaka three weeks ago by resounding 4-2 goals.

TFF joyful as Tenga retains CAF position.

Leodegar Tenga.

The Tanzania Football Federation’s president Jamal Malinzi has cordially congratulated president of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Leodegar Tenga for retaining his seat in the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). 

 

Besides Tenga, Malinzi has also sent congratulatory messages to the rest of the elected members of the executive committee. He has related the messages to the presidents of CAF and FIFA, Issa Hayatou and Sepp Blatter, respectively.

The TFF president wished all the best the elected in their duty to serve the football fraternity for the next four years.

 

Tenga won the re-election during CAF Annual General Congress staged in Cairo, from April 6-7.

 

Tenga will now serve for another four-year term as the regional boss at the CAF's decision making body. The CAF congress held every year started in Cairo on Monday and all the 54 African FA's including CECAFA's 12 were in attendance. The CECAFA member countries are include Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Sudan and South Sudan.

 

Tenga was re-elected unopposed after a candidate from Djibouti Hassan Suleiman withdrew from the race and threw his weight behind Tenga, who also served for eight years as Tanzania FA chairman quitting with honour after a two-term stint in 2012.

 

The CECAFA members and all the other African FA's hailed Tenga for his bold and steadfast leadership. The Tanzanian pledged to continue serving CAF and CECAFA with commitment and loyalty.

 

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the CAF Congress, CECAFA held its extra-ordinary General Assembly and expressed their sympathy with Kenyans following the Garissa massacre that claimed over 147 people.

 

Observing a one-minute silence before the meeting, the members expressed shock and disappointment at the macabre of the innocent students. The council members sent their solidarity to President Uhuru Kenyatta and the people of Kenya during this mourning period.

 

Tenga said terrorism must be fought by all people who value life and mankind.

 

During the same CECAFA congress, the 12 member associations also re-confirmed their commitment to support FIFA president Sepp Blatter ahead of the body’s congress in Zurich on May 28-29th.

 

The CECAFA FA's had made this commitment in Brazil last year during the FIFA Congress.

Azam, Yanga in midweek draws

Azam Fc Players

Mainland premier soccer league resumes today as the midweek fixtures has drawn hottest title contenders Young Africans and Azam FC who play their matches at two separate Dar es Salaam football venues.

 

Yanga, fresh from successful CAF Confederation Cup campaign over the weekend in Zimbabwean midland city of Bulawayo, entertain visiting Coastal Union at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

 

Holders Azam will be at home to rub shoulders with Southern Highland’s formidable side of Mbeya City at their own backyard of Chamazi.

Yanga will kick of today’s game with a psychological comfort of four-point gap over the holders who are under intense pressure to retain the title they wonfor the first time since gaining promotion into the top flight berth last season.

 

The Yanga-Coastal Union clash will be a huge attraction for football followers as the visitors are expected to plot revenge after losing the first leg match at home by a lone goal. 

 

It has been a hard nut to crack for Coastal Union whenever they face Yanga whether in Dar es Salaam or Tanga ever since the team regained promotion into the premiership berth three seasons ago. Yanga have not been conceding easy defeat at the hands of the Coastal Union and their last meeting at the National Stadium the previous season saw the team share a 1-1 draw. The visitors will be playing under tutelage of Jamhuri Kihwelo, a former Simba player and member who has always been fanatical to beat Yanga.

 

At Chamazi, Azam have a daunting task of beating their visitors who are in urgent need to avoid relegation shockwaves as the season comes close to an end early next month. 

 

Victory is essential for either side as Azam would like to chalk maximum points to at least reduce the point-gap with pacemakers Yanga. While Azam will be praying for Coastal to emerge winners over Yanga, Yanga also have the same brand of mentality on the other side of the coin as they would like a downfall of Azam.

 

Azam have won their three back-to-back matches by a lone goal over Ndanda FC, JKT Ruvu and Coastal Union.

 

 Mbeya City under their coach Juma Mwambusi will be without their lynchpin defender Yusuph Abdallah 'Sisalo' who sustained injury during their recent victory over newly promoted Ndanda FC.

 

Mbeya City have never beaten Azam since gaining promotion into the elite league as Azam have been enjoying victories in their past two matches. This is the fourth time the teams meet in the Mainland league since last season. The only consolation for Mbeya City is a 3-3 draw in the last match of the previous season’s first half.  Azam won the first leg over Mbeya City this season by 1-0 at the Sokoine Stadium.

Kagera strikers urged to shape up

Kagera Sugar coach, Mrage Kabange

Kagera Sugar stand-in coach Mrage Kabange said his team needs to develop scoring prowess to stand a chance of excelling in the remaining fixtures of the Mainland premier league.

 

The team, whose coaching panel recently expressed intention to see the squad shed off its perennial outsiders’ status and stay in contention for the title, succumbed to a 2-1 loss to visiting Simba SC at the Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga on Monday. 

 

Skillful and fast rushing winger Ramadhan Singano scored the opener for Simba on the 49th minute and Kagera equalised through their talismanic striker Rashid Mandawa, ten minutes later. Striker Ibrahim Ajibu then scored the winner for Simba from the pot kick on the 68th minute to hand his side crucial three points.

 

Kabange said shortly after the match that Kagera needs to improve its striking force and score goals, noting that failure to make the most of scoring opportunities has been visible in the squad during recent matches.

 

“We need to improve our striking force so that we can score goals in opportunities that come our way. We should not wait to fight back for an equaliser after the team has conceded a goal”, Kabange said.

 

Kabange also strongly criticised referee, Erick Onoka who officiated the game between Kagera and Simba, saying the referee was biased against Kagera.

“Simba were unfairly awarded the second half penalty. It is obvious the referee had already decided the game’s results right before the kick off…we could have won this game”.

 

Simba are still positioned third in the league standings but the side has managed to reduce its points’ gap with second-placed Azam FC to one, in which the former has 35 points and the latter has 36 points.

Azam though has the opportunity to widen the gap when the team hosts Mbeya City FC at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam today.

 

Kagera are still positioned fourth in the league log with 28 points from 21 appearances and victory in the remaining fixtures is crucial for the team’s plan to avoid dropping down the standing.   

   

The Monday game could have turned into a high scoring affair, had the two teams fully exploited a host of opportunities they had in either half.

Simba’s first opportunity came on the tenth minute when the side’s left fullback, Mohamed Hussein, floated in a good cross from the left, which was met by their  Ugandan striker Dan Sserunkuma, inside Kagera Sugar penalty area and the striker set up winger Singano but Kagera defenders  timely intercepted and cleared the ball.

 

Kagera had also managed to push forward twice in the first five minutes but the team’s strikers failed to test Simba’s keeper, Manyika Peter.

 

Sserunkuma was then denied by Kagera’s right post after he had dribbled past the latter’s defender inside the penalty area and attempted a powerful left footed shot, which left Kagera keeper Agaton Anthony, sprawling helplessly on the turf.

 

Simba’s another Ugandan striker, Emmanuel Okwi got the better of a Kagera Sugar defender inside the latter’s penalty area on the 33rd minute and crossed in for Sserunkuma but Kagera’s defender, Erick Murilo, executed a timely bicycle kick to clear the ball for an abortive corner kick.

 

Simba won a free kick outside Kagera’s penalty area a minute before half time but the former’s winger, Singano, attempted a weak shot that was saved by Kagera’s Anthony.

 

Kagera then attacked zealously during the closing stages and they had a valid penalty claim turned down by referee, Onoka, when Simba’s Isihaka blocked a shot by one of Kagera strikers with his hand inside the penalty area.

 

Kagera players were visibly incensed by Onoka’s failure to award them the penalty and the referee had to be escorted by police shortly after the final whistle to avoid the Kagera players’ wrath. 

 

A bizarre incident happened shortly before the game’s start, in which Simba players refused to enter the changing rooms and risk to be fined by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) as the act is deemed a breach of one of the league regulations.

Simba defeat Kagera Sugar

Ibrahim Ajib

Visiting Simba defied the odds to beat Kagera Sugar by 2-1 goals in a Mainland premier soccer league return leg played at the Kambarage Stadium here yesterday.

 

It was youngster Ibrahim Ajib who stole the show in yesterday’s game when he converted a priceless penalty after 28minutes for Simba to take an absolute 2-1 lead up to the end of the match.

 

The penalty was awarded to Simba when Emmanuel Okwi’s goal-bound shot was deliberately ‘saved’ by hand Kagera Sugar defender.  Earlier Simba opened their scoring chapter through Ramadhan Singano after 46 minutes to take the lead. It took only ten minutes for the hosts to draw level when their talismanic striker Rashid Mandawa scored.  Both teams played superb soccer to keep spectators spellbound throughout and it was not easy to predict the final result until the final whistle that saw the visitors celebrate.

 

 The victory in Shinyanga has increased pressure on pacemakers Yanga and holders Azam who each have two and three matches in hand.

 

Simba trail Yanga by five points and just one point adrift of defending champions. The victory in Shinyanga was achieved by Simba on a backdrop of two tragedies that saw the club lose six fans in a car crash in Morogoro last week. The fans were on their way to Shinyanga to cheer their team. 

 

The match was also adjourned last Saturday as a result of heavy torrential rains that flooded the Kambarage Stadium to render it unplayable. On the same day Simba’s midfielder Jonas Mkude lost his father and was ruled out of yesterday’s match. The win must have been a good tribute to the fans and Mkude’s father who lost their lives.

 

Meanwhile, Simba’s archrivals Young Africans who are fresh from CAF Confederation Cup progression meet visiting Coastal Union at the National Stadium tomorrow in another midweek fixture of the Mainland premiership.

 

Line-ups:

Kagera Sugar: 

Agaton Anthony, Erick Murilo, Salum Kanoni, Erick Kyaruzi, Geroge Kavila, Malegesi Mwangwa, Juma Mpola/Paul Ngwai, Babu Ally, Rashid Mandawa, Atupele Green and Adam Kingwande. 

Simba: 

Peter Manyika, Nassor Masoud, Mohamed Hussein, Hassan Isihaka, Joseph Owino, Awadh Juma, Ramadhan Singano, Said Ndemla, Dan Sserunkuma, Ibrahim Ajibu and Emmanuel Okwi.

Stand United beat Mtibwa

Stand United's assistant coach, Athuman Bilal

Stand United’s assistant coach Athuman Bilal said his squad has all it takes to escape relegation to the National First Division League after edging Morogoro’s Mtibwa Sugar by 1-0 in the Mainland premier league match played at the Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga yesterday.

 

The two teams locked horns on Sunday and the match was brought to a halt on the 33rd minute following heavy rains and the teams had to play the remainder of the game yesterday morning.

 

Stand United’s midfielder Haruna Chanongo, scored the only goal that separated the two teams on the 12th minute on Sunday and the Shinyanga-based side withstood Mtibwa’s pressure yesterday to emerge victorious.

 

Chanongo had pounced on the rebound inside Mtibwa’s penalty area to slam home after the latter’s goalkeeper Said Mohamed, had parried an earlier shot by Stand United’s Nigerian striker, Absirim Chidiebere.

 

Bilal said his team’s level of performance has been improving as time ticks by and he is confident his players will give their all in the remaining games to eventually confirm their place in the top flight berth next season.

“Today’s game was good, we prepared well for it and that is why we emerged victorious…we will keep on improving as time goes on”, Bilal said.

 

“We are a hundred per cent sure of escaping relegation to the National First Division League. I urge soccer stakeholders in Shinyanga to support the team so it can realise its target”.

 

The two teams had several good opportunities on Sunday and yesterday but the squads’ striking forces failed to make the most of the chances.

Mtibwa striker Musa Hassan, had three clear chances yesterday but the talismanic striker failed to find Stand United’s back of the net. 

 

The best of the three chances saw Hassan head over Stand United’s crossbar as he attempted to connect home a well taken cross by defender, Andrew Vincent from the right flank.

 

Hassan was then set up by his team mate inside Stand United’s penalty area but the former blasted over the crossbar. 

 

The speedy striker who was a constant menace to Stand United’s defenders, then dribbled past Stand’s fullback, Revocatus Richard on the left and whipped in a good cross but the opportunity went begging.

United also had two good chances midway through the second half but the side failed to exploit them. 

 

In one of the chances, Chidiebere got the better of Mtibwa’s fullback Said Mkopi on the left and sped into the latter’s penalty area but the towering striker’s shot was saved by Mtibwa keeper Mohamed.

 

A huge number of fans turned out at the stadium to watch the match as they were allowed to enter into the venue free of charge.

Simba SC was expected to play Kagera Sugar in another match at the same venue later in the afternoon. The match was previously scheduled to take place on Saturday but was postponed to yesterday because of heavy rain.