Kilimanjaro Stars’ Nurdin Bakari (right) fights for the ball with Zambia’s ‘Chipolopolo’ defenders , Brian Musonda (left) and Steven Kabamba during the Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday. Zambia won 1-0. (Photo by Fadhili Akida).
ANOTHER regional championships that indicates all could not be good for the Mainland team ‘Kilimanjaro Stars’ after a depressing performance in their opening match of Cecafa Tusker Cup, losing 0-1 against Zambia in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.
It all looked good for Stars in the first ten opening minutes but the home team wasted two clear chances that could have lifted their morale to win the game.
They were made to pay in the 17th minute, when Kennedy Mudenda scored the lone goal, with a simple tap in following horenous defensive blunders, and from then Star were a no match.
They were paying football from the dark ages and were totally outclassed by composed Zambia’s Chipolopolo.
Fans were frustrated and some booed the players and their coach Danish Jan Poulsen, who in the end said he was not happy with fans reactions. However, for all their disappointment, the home support can have no complaints as Dario Bonetti ‘s side were dominant.
“No player wants to play bad football and good fans do support their team in whatever circumstances,” said the Dane.
Poulsen kept essentially the same side that started against Kenya’s Harambee Stars in a friendly match on Monday, in which Stars again displayed a disjointed game but managed a 1-0 win.
In yesterday’s match, Kilimanjaro Stars back five, which partnered Erasto Nyoni and Juma Nyoso proved to be a weak link thought the first half, forcing the coach to call off Nyoni and introduce much reflexive Kelvin Yondan, who stabilized the defense.
Polusen also called off flop Gaudence Mwaikimba after the break and introduced Henry Joseph, the substitution that left Mrisho Ngasa as the lone striker up front.
However, the introduction of Yondan and Joseph rejuvenated Stars as they dominated the half but again with limited strikers it was always going to be tough to find the back of the net.
The introduction of youthful striker Thomas Ulimwengu arrived too late as Zambians, as Chipolopolo, who are the guest team in the tournament completely sealed the defense.
The defeat leaves Poulsen lads facing an uphill task to secure their place in the semifinals slot as they have to win their two remaining Group A matches against Burundi and Somalia.
On Sunday, Zanzibar Heroes will get their campaign underway by taking on Sudan in an early kick off while guest side ivory coast will confront Rwanda’s Amavubi.
The match between Somalia and Burundi that was to be played on Sunday was postponed and it will be played today at the Karume memorial Stadium.
SOURCE: SUNDAY NEWS
