The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Majuto Omary
4 December 2011
Dar es Salaam — Kilimanjaro Stars booked a place in the Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup despite going down 2-1 to Zimbabwe in their last round robin match at the National Stadium yesterday.
Defending champions Kilimanjaro Stars, who finished third in Group A on three points after three games, scrapped into the knock out stage as best losers together with Zanzibar Heroes.
The hosts, who crashed to a 1-0 defeat to Rwanda’s Amavubi in their opening match on November 26, were not impressive in yesterday’s game, especially in the first half.
Zimbabwe put the hosts at bay right from the start and went one up seconds into the game through Donald Ngoma.
Ngoma capitalised on a defensive mix-up to unleash a close range shot that went straight into the net, leaving goalie Juma Kaseja and his defenders flat footed.
In the 11th minute, Benjamin Marere made it 2-0 for the Warriors with a sizzling shot after the hosts’ defence hesitated to clear the ball in the penalty box for a 2-0 half time lead.
On resumption, Kilimanjaro Stars, sensing the danger of bowing out of the regional tournament, pressed up front relentlessly in search of a goal, but had trouble in breaking down the Warriors’ defence.
A consolation for Boniface Mkwasa’s team came in the 87th minute through a penalty by Mwinyi Kazimoto.
The referee awarded the title-holders the penalty after striker Mrisho Ngassa was brought down in the box by the Warriors’ defenders, and Kazimoto made no mistake with the spot kick, sending the Zimbabwe goalie the wrong way.
Kilimanjaro Stars will now take on Malawi’s Flames in the quarter final on Tuesday at the same venue.
In yesterday’s other game, a superb header by Sudan’s striker Bushir Koko condemned Kenya’s Harambee Stars to a 1-0 defeat in their Group C showdown at the same venue.
Koko scored the lone in the 24th minute to propel his team into the quarter finals and bring tears at the Harambee Stars camp.
Harambee Stars needed a win to remain in contention for the title and the jackpot that goes with it.
They tied on three points with Kilimanjaro Stars, but were sent packing on goal difference.
The other teams that are through to the next stage are Sudan, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Uganda.
FIXTURES: QUARTER FINALS
Tomorrow (Dec.05, 2011)
Sudan vs Uganda- 2pm
Rwanda vs Zanzibar -4pm
TUESDAY
Kili Stars vs Malawi -2pm
Burundi vs Zimbabwe- 4pm
AllAfrica – All the Time