Samata scores but Mambas bite Stars again
Taifa Stars striker Mbwana Samata (left)battles for the ball with a Mozambique defender during the second round, first leg of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Samata scored in the second leg at the Estadio do Zimpeto Stadium yesterday. Tanzania lost 2-1. photo | file
What you need to know:
- Mozambique will now join Group F where they will compete against Zambia, Cape Verde and Niger for a spot in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco
Dar es Salaam. Taifa Stars hopes of reaching group stage of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) went up in smoke after losing 2-1 to Mozambique at Estadio do Zimpeto Stadium yesterday.
Mbwana Samata scored an equaliser in the 77th minute, thus needing a goal to go to penalty shootouts, but the Mambas scored the winner seven minutes later and held on to the final whistle.
This result means the Mozambicans sailed through to Group F on a 4-3 aggregate victory and will face former champions Zambia next month. The group also comprises Cape Verde and Niger.
The second round, return leg showdown started with both teams playing cautiously, but as the game progressed, the hosts took control of possession.
Josemar Machaísse gave Mozambique the lead in the 45th minute before Domingues, who scored the opener in the first leg, condemned Taifa Stars to another mediocre campaign.
Stars, who pitched a brief camp in South Africa, started the second half briskly, looking for an equaliser, but Samata and Thomas Ulimwengu and Hamis Mcha lacked precision in front of the Mozambique goal.
However, Samata, who plies his trade at TP Mazembe of DR Congo, made amends to his earlier misses to plant the ball home with 13 minutes to time.
After the equaliser, Stars increased their tempo hoping to find the killer goal, but were caught napping in defence and Domingues comfortably sent the home crown into wild celebrations.
Seven years ago, Mozambique ended Tanzania’s dream of reaching the 2008 Afcon finals. The Mambas triumphed 1-0, courtesy of a Tico Tico goal in a match the Stars needed victory to keep alive hopes of reaching Ghana 2008.
The two teams faced again off in 2011 in a friendly in Maputo where Tanzania lost 2-0. In Afcon 2013 qualifying, Stars and Mambas renewed their rivalry again in the first round of qualifiers.
Tied 2-2 over two legs, the Taifa Stars were eliminated 7-6 on post-match penalties.
Harambee Stars
Neighbours Kenya were also knocked out of contention for a place in the 2015 Afcon after a goalless draw with Lesotho at the Nyayo Stadium yesterday
The result saw Lesotho advance to Group C with a 1 - 0 aggregate win.
After the match, an irate group of Harambee Stars fans invaded the pitch a demanding an explanation for the poor result from the team and went on to rough up Stars players before they were whisked away by the security personnel at the stadium.
