Zanzibar girls shine in Copa Coca-Cola

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

After demolishing Dodoma 4-1 last Sunday, Zanzibar girls posted another emphatic victory yesterday when they beat fancied Ilala by 2-0 goals in the ongoing U-15 Copa Coca-Cola national championships at Tanganyika Packers football ground in Dar es Salaam.

Both teams kicked off the game on a quick note with Ilala, who seemed potential winners in the opening quarter, forcing numerous scoring attempts which were thwarted by uncompromising Zanzibar defenders.  Duration of girls matches in this competition is 60 minutes. 

Zanzibar scored their opening goal in the 40th minute when Hidaya Said Mussa headed home a cross evoking chants from supporters.
Before Ilala players had settled, Zanzibar made another lethal attack which resulted in the second goal through striker Warda Abdallah Hamisi.

Placed in group two, Zanzibar will play their last group stage match against Arusha tomorrow at Filbert Bayi ground. Football analysts anticipate another big victory for the Zanzibar team.

In boys’ category, Dodoma breezed past Katavi by 5-3 at Karume Memorial Stadium yesterday. The winners who dominated the game from the opening minute scored their goals through Pius Raphael who scored twice (12nd and 28), Timoth J. Timoth (54th minute), Juma M. juma (61st minute) before John Philemon who hammered the final nail in the Katavi coffin in the 70th minute.

On their side, Katavi, who are making first appearance in the tournament, notched their goals through James Safari (34th minute), Philemon Thomas (57th minute) and Daniel Modest in the 72nd minute. Commenting on the results, Dodoma coach Mussa Paratuni heaped praise on his team for playing a well coordinated game.

“I am pleased that they have followed exactly what I told them. And as you have witnessed my team is very disciplined which is another reason for our victory today,” he said.

Katavi coach Mohamed Bacho said his boys were not used to an artificial grass pitch which affected the team’s performance.

“Another reason for losing this match is the fact that some of our dependable players were axed during age verification exercise,”he said.

 Other matches played yesterday saw Morogoro boys beating South Unguja 3-1 at Nyumbu ground while Kinondoni labored to a one-all draw with Mwanza at Filbert Bayi ground before Mbeya girls thrashed Mwanza 2-0 at the same venue.

The national Copa Coca-Cola national finals climaxes on Saturday at Karume Memorial Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN