Saliboko’s strike gives KMC win in league opener

DAR ES SALAAM: KMC Football Club kicked off their Mainland Premier League campaign in style, securing a narrow but priceless 1–0 victory over Dodoma Jiji at the KMC Complex, Kinondoni in Dar es Salaam.

In doing so, the Kinondoni outfit wrote their names into this season’s history books, becoming the first side to register a goal and a win in the 2025/26 curtain raiser and, for the moment at least, they sat proudly atop the table.

Elsewhere, last night’s clash between Coastal Union and Tanzania Prisons carried its own weight, with the outcome destined to shake the early standings depending on how the pendulum of fortune swung.

The opening half at the Complex was a chess match of caution. Both sides traded blows, carving out half-chances, but neither could find the cutting edge.

The whistle for half- time found the scoreboard untouched, a stalemate that hinted at more drama to come.

Enters Marcio Maximo, the seasoned tactician and former Taifa Stars boss, whose changes would prove decisive. Spotting the need for fresh legs and sharper teeth in attack, he sacrificed the experienced Ibrahim Ajibu for striker Daruwesh Saliboko.

The move paid off handsomely. In the 56th minute, Rashid Chambo threaded a pass of precision through Dodoma’s defensive armour, and Saliboko, alert and ruthless, tucked it home to ignite celebrations across Kinondoni. It was the strike that broke the deadlock, and ultimately, Dodoma Jiji’s resolve.

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To their credit, the visitors rallied, pushing bodies forward and probing for an equaliser. Yet, despite their endeavour, the gods of fortune turned a deaf ear.

Chance after chance fell by the wayside, and as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, Dodoma were left to nurse their frustrations while KMC stood firm.

The Premier League roadshow rolls on today with three enticing fixtures. Fountain Gate host Mbeya City at the Tanzanite Kwaraa ground in Manyara at 2:00pm.

Later, Mashujaa clash with JKT Tanzania at Kigoma’s Lake Tanganyika Stadium in a 4:15pm duel , before Namungo lock horns with Pamba Jiji at Majaliwa Stadium in Lindi.

Tomorrow, the spotlight shifts to Tabora where Tabora United welcome Dodoma Jiji to the Ally Hassan Mwinyi Stadium, a chance for Dodoma to bounce back from their false start.

For now, though, it is KMC who wear the early crown, their laughter echoing loudest on opening day.