Kitenge follows in ‘King’ Kibadeni’s footsteps
What you need to know:
- This was after he became the second player to score a hat-trick in a match against Young Africans F.C. since the legendary Abdallah Kibadeni did that in 1977.
Dar es Salaam. Burundian international soccer maestro Alex Kitenge – who plays for the Shinyanga-based Stand United F.C. in Tanzania –has chalked up a new record in the Mainland Tanzania Premier Football League.
This was after he became the second player to score a hat-trick in a match against Young Africans F.C. since the legendary Abdallah Kibadeni did that in 1977.
On July 19, 1977, Kibadeni scored three goals for his club Simba in the encounter that humiliated Young Africans 6-0 at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Kibadeni, popularly known as ‘King Mputa,’scored in the 10th, 42nd and 89th minutes. The other Simba goals were scored by Jumanne ‘Masimenti’ Hassan (60th and 73rd minute), and Seleman Sanga, who scored in the 20th minute of the game.
Kitenge joined Stand United this season – and scored in the 14th, 59th and 90th minutes in the encounter held at the National Stadium on Sunday. So, he becomes the first player to score three goals in one match since the start of this season on Mainland Tanzania – an encounter which Young Africans won 4-3, thus securing the seventh position in the league rankings, with six goals.
Records show that many players managed to score two goals against Young Africans, including Emmanuel Okwi who scored two goals on May 6, 2012. Last season, Habib Kiyombo also scored two goals against Young Africans in the league.
Speaking to The Citizen in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Kitenge said that this is just the start of the league, and he looks forward to continue scoring more goals in due course.
Kitenge said when he was playing for AFC Leopards of Kenya, he scored his first hat-trick against Wazito FC in the GoTv Shield Quarters, and ended a long wait for a goal. AFC Leopards won 7-1 in the June match this year.
“I am very happy to score against Young Africans in the encounter. It was a tough match, and I am sure if we had concentrated on our defence, we would have won the encounter. We played well as a striking force; but we allowed four goals – and lost the match,” Kitenge lamented.
He said that his target is to win the Golden Boot award, and the record has inspired him to increase efforts.
On his side, Kibadeni challenged Kitenge to increase efforts in the league so that he can make another record in the league.
“My record still stands due to the fact that I scored in the derby match. It is true that he scored against Young Africans, but the match had no pressure when comparing with Yanga and Simba matches,” ‘King’ Kibadeni said.
