Matola: Exit due to fatigue
DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA Assistant Coach, Suleiman Matola has attributed fatigue on his team’s elimination in the CRDB Bank Federation Cup match.
Matola said that due to fatigue the team missed several opportunities, including penalties in their loss on penalties against Mashujaa FC in the FA last 16 stage, at a game played at Lake Tanganyika ground in Kigoma.
Although Matola acknowledged the team’s performance and creation of numerous chances, he bemoaned of their failure to capitalise on them that resulted in elimination from the FA Cup and failure to book a spot in the quarter-finals.
“We failed to convert our chances efficiently, missing out on several clear scoring opportunities due to lack of precision in our finishing,” he noted.
Matola remarked that the team’s struggle with fatigue as one of their challenges dearly cost the team as they hardly had enough time to prepare for the FA game after the Champions League quarter finals second leg match against Al Ahly in Egypt.
However, despite their elimination from all other competitions, leaving them solely in the NBC Premier League, Matola expressed the team’s determination to regroup and strive for better results.
“The league is still ongoing, so as a team, we will regroup and strategise on how to secure better results in the NBC Premier League,” he stated.
On the other side, Mashujaa Head Coach, Mohamed Abdallah ‘Bares,’ commended his team’s resilience and discipline despite playing with a numerical disadvantage after skipper Said Makapu was given marching orders a few minutes before the breather.
“I’m pleased with the performance displayed by my team, despite being a man down, they followed instructions meticulously, ultimately clinching victory in the penalty shootout,” Abdallah said.
He particularly lauded their goalkeeper, Eric Johora, for his crucial saves that helped the team progress to the next stage after saving two penalty kicks.
“As a team, we were wellprepared in every section, even in penalty shootouts. I commend my players for adhering to instructions accurately,” Abdallah added.
Looking ahead to the remaining possible three matches, Abdallah emphasised their commitment to securing victories as a team.
“We will strive as a team to ensure we win every match to progress to the next stage,” he affirmed.
Mashujaa will join the other six NBC Premier League teams in the CRDB Federation Cup quarter-finals after winning 6-5 on penalties against Simba.
Ihefu secured a convincing 3-0 win over Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam last weekend, while Geita Gold and Tabora United are also among the quarter-finalists, having triumphed over Rhino Rangers and Singida Fountain Gate, respectively.
Additionally, the ice cream makers progressed to the next round following their 3-0 home victory against Mtibwa Sugar at Azam Complex.
In other fixtures, Namungo advanced after defeating Kagera Sugar in a penalty shoot-out, while Coastal Union secured victory on penalties against JKT Tanzania following a goalless 90 minutes of play.
