Tanzania: Yanga, El-Mereikh Share Spoils

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

Japheth Kazenga

26 June 2011

MAINLAND champions, Yanga, took their campaign in the Kagame Castle Cup off to a slow start after managing a 2-2 draw with El Mereikh of Sudan in their opening match played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

The two sides had already found each other’s back of the net within the first 10 minutes as the match started at a cracking pace, leaving the packing crowd in frenzy as the latter anticipated for plenty of goals in the game.

Poor marking by Yanga’s defenders saw El Mereikh’s Nigerian striker, Kelechi Osunwa, register the first goal for his side after three minutes with a free header as he connected an inviting cross from winger, Karim Eddafi, from the left flank. Eddafi capitalized on Yanga’s failure to properly clear the ball and dribbled past right back, Godfrey Taita, before whipping in a cross that was easily met by Osunwa, who rose unopposed to head past Yanga Ghanaian keeper, Yaw Berko.

Yanga calmed their nerves thereafter and attempted to press forward in search of an equalizer, which came just four minutes later through an own goal by El Mereikh defender, Ahmed Albasha.

Albasha attempted a back pass as he was under pressure from Yanga forwards but El Mereikh’s veteran Egyptian keeper, Essam El-hadari failed to clear ball resulting to an own goal. Yanga were a more determined side thereafter as they launched a series of attacks from both flanks and were rewarded 10 minutes from half time, when Ghanaian striker, Kenneth Asamoah, notched the second goal.

A good move that was initiated by left back, Oscar Joshua, and midfielder, Kigi Makasi, from the left flank saw the former swinging in a cross and Asamoah, who was lurking inside El Mereikh penalty area, quickly pounced on the ball to calmly slot in past keeper, El-hadari.

El Mereikh, however, continued to orchestrate well calculated moves and made a couple of dangerous attacks only to be denied by Yanga defence. The hosts led by 2-1 at half time. The Sudanese side started the second half on a sound note and dominated the game for the better part, forcing Yanga into resolute defending.

The introduction of Nigerian striker, Stephen Worgu, breathed fresh energy into El Mereikh forward line as the speedy, diminutive Worgu created several good chances, which were however not exploited by team mates. Worgu’s efforts finally paid off, when his power packed shot from almost 25 metres out bounced off the underside of the crossbar before Berko vainly attempted to clear the ball, which however had already crossed the goal line.

Despite an appeal from Yanga players, the match’s assistant referee ruled it a clear goal. Yanga coach, Ugandan Sam Timbe admitted shortly after the match that his side encountered tough opposition, adding that little time for preparation also contributed to his players’ lack of proper match fitness.

Defending champions APR of Rwanda got their Group C campaign off to a great start with 4-0 win over Ports of Djibouti at the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro reports JOHN NDITI. Striker Nyirenda Victor opened the floodgate with a powerful header from a Haruna Niyonzima’s corner kick on 43rd to give APR a deserved one goal lead at half time.

The Malawian frontman, Nyirenda, extended APR’s lead on the hour mark before Logbo Landry put the result beyond Ports’ reach with a third goal in the 69th minute following a goal-mouth melee.

Substitute Kwizera Ernest put the icing on the cake after planting home the fourth goal with three minutes of regular time remaining. The victory gave APR a head start to progress to the knockout stage of the tournament from group C that also features St George of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Ulinzi.

The championship continues today with Red Sea of Eritrea playing their first match against Ocean View in a lunch time kick off at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam before Vital’ O entertain Etincelles later on at the same venue.

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