Singida Stars breathe fire close to Dar giants

SINGIDA Big Stars are breathing fire as they have joined Simba and Young Africans at the top-three spot of the Premier League table following their 1-0 victory over Ihefu at Liti Stadium in Singida.

Ihefu are struggling at the bottom of the table slightly above Polisi Tanzania and Dodoma Jiji.

Singida Big Stars have bagged 14 points, similar to the leaders Simba and runners-up Yanga, who have both played six games while Singida Big Stars have played eight but they are inferior in goal difference.

Shafik Batambuze gave Singida Big Stars a lead in the 16th minute with a brilliant header that completed Rodrigo Figueiredo set piece.

Besides banking a goal, Singida Big Stars earned a spot kick in the 8th minute following Lenny Kissu’s handball in the penalty box.

Singida Big Stars striker Medie Kagere was shocked after failing to convert the spot-kick into a goal after his shot struck the woodwork.

Singida Big Stars had another close attempt to double in the 35th minute through Rodrigo. However, he failed to complete Kagere’s set-through after Ihefu’s goalkeeper Seleman Fikirini intercepted him in time and saved his side from conceding another goal.

In another development, Alexander Sanga reports that the head coach of Kagera Sugar, Francis Baraza, has assured the team’s supporters of positive results in their today’s Premier League match against Namungo FC at Majaliwa Stadium in Lindi region.

Speaking ahead of the duel, Baraza said his team will miss Abdulaziz Makame’s service due to injury.

He confirmed the return of his key players David Luhende and Apolinarie Ngueko, who missed three matches consecutively.

On his side, Kagera sugar custodian Said Kipao said they will continue to fight to do well in the premier league. He called upon football stakeholders in the Kagera region to continue supporting their team whenever they play at home or away venues.

He said the league is difficult because all teams are working hard to ensure they win matches.

On his part, Namungo assistant coach Shadrick Nsajigwa said his team is well prepared to win against Kagera Sugar.

Meanwhile, Meddy Mulisa from Bukoba reports that Kagera Regional Football Association (KRFA) Secretary General, Al-Amin Abdul, has appealed to Bukoba Municipal Council to speed up the rehabilitation of the Kaitaba Stadium to allow Premier League matches to resume.

A premier league match pitting Kagera Sugar against visiting Singida Big Stars was on Friday played without fans after the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) banned fans for security reasons.

Singida Big Stars bagged all three points defeating Kagera Sugar 2-1.

An impeccable source told the “Daily News” that the Kaitaba stadium in Bukoba Municipality underwent major rehabilitation to host the 2022 Uhuru Torch race climax held on October 14th, this year, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan was the guest of honour.

Abdul explained that Kagera Sugar Limited has already deposited 21m/- to Bukoba Municipal’s bank account for the exercise.

Elaborating, he said Kagera Sugar has two crucial matches ahead, pitting KMC on November 1st and against the defending champions Yanga on November 13th this year at the Kaitaba stadium.

“Kagera fans are eagerly waiting for these two crucial matches. Therefore, we appeal to Bukoba Municipal Council to speed up and complete the work because the money is available,” he said.