Tanzania: Ocean View Close to Last Eight

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

Japheth Kazenga

27 June 2011

ZANZIBAR’s Ocean View edged closer to sealing their place in the quarterfinals of the Kagame Castle Cup after triumphing 2-0 over Red Sea FC of Eritrea in the match played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Monday.

Strikers Suleiman Haji and Said Rashid scored in either half of the seemingly dull affair to see Ocean View consolidate their bid to reach the last eight of the regional championship.

Ocean View had an edge over the Eritreans at some point in the first half but lack of concentration particularly by strikers, Suleiman Haji and Amour Suleiman and winger, Mohamed Hamdun, denied the former opportunity to register goals early on.

Red Sea also had chances of their own and on most occasions, were forced into long range attempts in an effort to get the better of Ocean View’s tight defence led by towering Nigerian, Salamsasa Obina. The Eritreans’ best effort in the half saw winger, Yakob Amanuel, force a fine diving save from Ocean View keeper, Abbas Ali, with a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Haji eventually notched the opener for Ocean View on 35 minute, when he completed a well worked move initiated by the late first half substitute, Rashid, from the left flank. Rashid orchestrated a neat one two with team mate on the left flank before whipping in a cross, which was met by Hamdun outside the penalty area and the latter opted to pass on to Haji, who blasted a shot high into the net.

Ocean View then had two good chances midway through the second half but Rashid disappointingly missed both from close range. He will particularly live to remember the chance he wasted on 64 minute, when he connected a lovely cross from the left flank with a weak shot that was easily parried away by Red Sea keeper, Daniel Goitom.

Red Sea were reduced to 10 men deep into the second half as midfielder, Aaron Zekarias, was shown red card by Ugandan referee, Ronnie Kalema, after elbowing Ocean View’s hard working midfielder, Salum Shebe.

The Zanzibar outfit had opened their campaign with 3-2 victory over Etincelles of Rwanda last Saturday. Vital’O of Burundi moved second in group A with a 3-1 mauling of the Rwandan side Etincelles in the late kick-off at the same venue.

Nzigamasabo Steve opened the scoring for Vital’O seven minutes into game but Ochaya Sylvan drew the parity one minute past the hour mark. Etincelles celebrations short lived as Minzi Stanley restored Vital’O lead on 63rd minute after receiving being set up by Ndayishime Frank.

Mbakiye Babi put the result beyond doubt when he fired a stunning free-kick from outside the 18-yard box to make it 3-1. The result means, Vital’O, who played out to a barren draw against Mainland’s giants Simba, have reached four points. The Tanzania Breweries Ltd (TBL) through its Castle Lager beer flagship has dished out 300m/- to sponsor the coveted regional championship.

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