CECAFA 2019: Tanzania Stands Semifinal Chance With A Win against Zanzibar

After a loss in their opening game, Tanzania came back on track after a 1-0 win over Zanzibar in the ongoing Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup at StarTimes Stadium Lugogo on Tuesday.

Taifa Stars opened their title campaign on a low note, after falling to defending champions Kenya on Sunday by a solitary goal.

To stand a chance of making it to the last four, Tanzania had to win against Zanzibar who drew 1-1 with Sudan.

Despite winning the match, Tanzania will have to thank the opponent’s strikers for their lack of composure in front of the goal.

Kassim Khamis could have scored in the first five minutes, but he miscued a Mudathir Yahya precise pass.

The lone goal for Tanzania came in the 38th minute through Ditram Nchimbi who was at the end of a free-flowing move, the striker capitalized on poor goalkeeping by keeper Suleiman Ali to give his team what turned out to be the winner.

Despite protests by the Zanzibar players who felt Haruna Abdallah was fouled in the build-up to the move, the referee pointed to the spot.

The 2017 finalists increased their tempo in the second half hoping to get at least an equalizer but Tanzania held on to win.

Kenya, who are the defending champions, qualified for the semi-finals after beating Sudan 2-1. Abdallah Hassan and Oscar Wamalwa were on target for the defending champions while Muhammad Namir scored a consolation goal for Sudan.

Harambee Stars top Group B with six points after two successive wins, while Tanzania have moved to second position with their win against Zanzibar while Sudan are third with a point.

In the final round, Tanzania will have to beat Sudan if they are to qualify for the semi-finals while Kenya who have already qualified will battle it out with Zanzibar.