Prisons punish wasteful Fountain Gate

MBEYA: TANZANIA Prisons Head Coach Hamad Ally hailed his team’s defensive discipline and sharp finishing as the driving forces behind their impressive 3-1 home win over Fountain Gate at Sokoine Stadium.

“We stayed organised at the back and made our chances count, that was the key,” Ally said in post-match, reflecting on a performance that combined tactical discipline with efficiency in front of goal.

Despite the loss, Fountain Gate’s Head Coach Mohammad Lizer praised his players for their style of play and rued missed opportunities.

“We played good football and controlled possession, but failed to convert our chances. That’s football,” he remarked.

“Credit to Tanzania Prisons, they were more clinical.” Fountain Gate found a glimmer of hope in the 40th minute when Laurian Makame slotted home a composed finish from William Edgar’s precise assist, momentarily levelling the score.

However, the tide turned dramatically following a pivotal moment, the red card shown to goalkeeper Machupa Juma for a foul on Haroun Chanongo.

ALSO READ: Prisons taste first league win

That incident led directly to a goal by Prisons’ Ezekiel Mwashilindi, shifting momentum firmly in the home side’s favour. “The red card was a blow,” Lizer admitted.

“It changed the game. But mistakes happen, it’s part of the sport.” With the regular league season now concluded, Lizer’s focus has turned to the upcoming promotion play-off against Stand United, who finished third in the Championship with 61 points.

The winner of the twolegged tie will earn a coveted spot in next season’s Premier League. “We’re putting this loss behind us and shifting full focus to the play-off,” Lizer affirmed.

“Losing today doesn’t define us, we’re not a bad team. We’ll regroup and be ready.”

He also highlighted the fierce competition in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League this season, noting that even mid-table teams were in contention until the final stages.

“The level of competition was very high. Every match mattered and that kept the league exciting to the end,” he noted.

As the spotlight now moves to the high-stakes showdown between Fountain Gate and Stand United, fans eagerly await the outcome of a clash that will decide who earns a place among Tanzania’s football elite.