TZ U-17 maintain perfect run

DAR ES SALAAM: SERENGETI Girls continued their dominant run at the CECAFA Under-17 Championship with a commanding 10-0 victory over Sudan at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

The result moves them to six points from two matches, following their 4-0 victory over Somalia on Saturday. Meanwhile, it’s another unfortunate setback for Sudan, which suffered a crushing 16-0 defeat against Kenya in their previous encounter.

Bahati Kizanguzi delivered a five-goal performance, while Harrier Juma struck a hat-trick as Tanzania controlled the contest from start to finish.

Yasinta Kaluwa and Milembe John played key roles in the buildup, constantly opening spaces and creating chances as Sudan struggled to cope with the movement and pressing of the hosts.

The one-sided contest came alive in the third minute when Harrier opened the scoring. Tanzania won possession in midfield before Odilia France released Yasinta Kaluwa, whose pass found Harrier unmarked inside the area to beat Sudan goalkeeper Minan Abdelrahman. Four minutes later, Tanzania doubled the lead through Bahati.

Sunday Masasila started the move before Bahati cut in from the right flank and finished low into the corner.

Sudan’s attempts to settle into the match were again punished in the 14th minute. Milembe pressed aggressively from a Sudan throwin and won the ball before feeding Harrier inside the box.

The forward was brought down by Noura Yahya, leaving the referee with no option but to award a penalty. Bahati stepped forward and converted in the 16th minute for her second of the afternoon.

Tanzania continued to press high and force errors from Sudan’s back line. In the 37th minute, another turnover in midfield allowed Yasinta Kaluwa to set up Milembe for the fourth goal.

Moments later, Milembe turned provider, assisting Sunday Masasila to score Tanzania’s fifth with a close-range finish after another flowing attack.

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The pressure remained relentless. A long pass from Yasinta released Bahati on the counter-attack and, as Noura attempted to recover, she fouled the forward inside the box. Bahati converted the resulting penalty to complete her hat-trick and hand Tanzania a 6-0 lead before the break.

The second half followed the same pattern. In the 59th minute, Salima Ndaki advanced down the right flank before delivering a cross into the area for Bahati to score her fourth and Tanzania’s seventh goal.

Seven minutes later, Yasinta again unlocked the Sudan defence with a pass that sent Bahati through on goal. The striker raced past the defenders, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly finished for her fifth goal of the match.

Harrier returned to the scoresheet in the 79th minute with a powerful strike for Tanzania’s ninth before sealing her hat-trick six minutes from time. Bahati turned creator on that occasion, picking out Harrier inside the box for a composed finish that completed the 10-goal display.