Taifa Stars stop giants Senegal
KARATU: TAIFA Stars wrapped up a successful Pre-CHAN Tournament campaign with back-toback victories, securing a hard-fought 2-1 comeback win over Senegal and a narrow 1-0 win against Uganda Cranes at Karatu Stadium yesterday.
Despite an initial setback in the eighth minute when Senegal’s Mapathe Mbodji capitalised on a weak clearance by Taifa Stars goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga to nod home the opener, the hosts responded with intensity and purpose.
Mbodji’s goal, a welltimed header following a failed clearance from a set-piece, briefly silenced the home crowd.
But it served as a wake-up call for the Taifa Stars, who quickly shifted gears and began dominating possession.
The Tanzanian side launched wave after wave of attack, particularly through the left flank, where Iddi Suleiman proved a constant menace to the Senegalese defence.
Despite earning six corners in the first half, the Taifa Stars were unable to break down Senegal’s towering defence before the interval.
Iddi Suleiman nearly levelled the score in the 28th minute with a dazzling run and cross that narrowly missed an Ibrahim Ahmada connection and forced a smart save from the Senegal goalkeeper Idrissa Ndiaye.
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The Tanzanians carried their momentum into the second half and found their reward just six minutes after the restart.
A surging run by Iddi Suleiman into the box was abruptly halted by Senegal defender Mbaye Ndiaye, whose mistimed tackle saw the referee point to the spot.
Abdul Suleiman stepped up and calmly converted the penalty in the 54th minute. Tanzania’s relentless pressure continued to pay dividends.
In the 59th minute, Feisal Salum delivered a pinpoint setpiece which found Abdul Suleiman, who smartly laid it off for Ibrahim Abdullah.
Abdullah made no mistake, delicately flipping the ball into the net to complete the comeback and put the Taifa Stars in front.
Senegal had a golden opportunity to equalise just two minutes later, but substitute goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman came up with a crucial save to deny Libasse Gueye’s effort.
