SINGIDA: THE roar of the crowd at CCM Liti Stadium in Singida was deafening as Elvis Rupia led Singida Black Stars to a crucial 2-1 victory over Dodoma Jiji in the Mainland Premier League encounter yesterday.
The match marked a significant turnaround for Singida Black Stars, who had been winless in their last four league matches. Thanks to Rupia’s first-half brace, they secured all three points, bringing their total to 27 from 13 matches.
Singida Black Stars remain in fourth place, behind Young Africans, Simba and Azam, while Dodoma Jiji are in 10th place with 16 points.
From the very first minute, the energy on the pitch was palpable. The teams were evenly matched, but Singida’s early pressing tactics soon proved effective.
The breakthrough came in the eighth minute, igniting excitement among the home fans. A set piece taken by Ayoub Lyanga curled into the penalty area, forcing Dodoma Jiji’s goalkeeper, Ngeleka Katembwe, to leap high to punch the ball clear.
In what could only be termed a defensive blunder, Katembwe misjudged the ball’s trajectory, allowing it to slip through his hands.
Seizing the opportunity, Antony Trabi quickly pounced on the loose ball after dispossessing a Dodoma Jiji defender. His pass found Rupia, who was completely unmarked with ample space inside the box. With composure, Rupia side-footed the ball past Katembwe into the net.
Just seven minutes later, they doubled their lead, once again courtesy of Rupia. This time, Singida Black Stars relentless press created the chance. As Dodoma Jiji’s defence tried to regain their composure, they were caught off guard by a rapid push from Singida Black Stars, leading to another defensive error.
Rupia was in the right place at the right time once more. Arthur Bada, the Ivorian dynamo, slid a perfectly weighted pass to Rupia, who took a touch and fired a low shot past Katembwe.
However, Dodoma Jiji were not ready to concede just yet. After the break, they emerged with renewed determination, eager to claw their way back into the match. The game intensified as both teams vied for dominance.
The turning point for Dodoma came in the 58th minute, when they finally penetrated Singida Black Stars’ defence.
A magnificent cross from Paul Peter sailed into the box, perfectly positioned for Yasin Mgaza to meet with his head
