Mashujaa edge past Mtibwa Sugar

KIGOMA: MASHUJAA FC bagged their first win of the Mainland Premier League season with a narrow 1–0 victory over newly promoted Mtibwa Sugar at Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma yesterday.

The decisive moment came in the 33rd minute when Mashujaa FC, forward Mudathir Abdallah delivered a cross from the right and Idrisa Stambuli, unmarked in the box, controlled with his chest before drilling a low shot past Mtibwa Sugar goalkeeper, Constantine Malimi.

The goal proved enough for Mashujaa, who had opened their campaign with a goalless draw against JKT Tanzania at the same venue.

But the match was far from one-sided as Mtibwa, making their return to top-flight football after relegation in the 2023/24 season, nearly pulled level just before half-time.

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Abdul Hilary’s thunderous strike beat the keeper but rattled the crossbar. Mashujaa had chances to double their lead.

Ismail Mgunda tested Malimi with a low drive midway through the second half, but the Mtibwa keeper reacted quickly to keep it out.

Despite late pressure from both sides, Stambuli’s firsthalf strike stood as the difference.