Taifa win battle of Stars

Disappointing Amavubi lose to Tanzania Friendly matchYesterdayRwanda 1-2 Tanzania Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars failed to impress once again as they were beaten 2-1 by Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in an international friendly match played yesterday at Nyamirambo stadium. Substitutes Rashid Gumbo and Jerson Tegete scored the goals on 59th and 70th minutes of the game to hand the visitors a deserved victory. After going behind, Rayon Sport midfielder Jamal Mwiseneza gave Rwanda hope with the equaliser on the 68th minute but that hopes lasted just two minutes as Tegete netted Tanzania’s winner. Tanzania’s two goals came as a result of defensive mix-up by stand-in skipper Hamad Ndikumana and second hand substitute Aloua Gaseruka. Gumbo scored on his first touch after benefiting from Danny Mrwanda cross, which passed between Ndikumana’s legs while the second came in after Mrisho Ngassa chipped in a low cross from the right wing, which Gaseruka clumsily failed to clear giving an opportunity to Tegete to beat goalie substitute keeper Jean Claude Ndoli from close range. Amavubi, who were under pressure to record a win following a five-match winless streak, were second best for most of the game, and when they got the chances to score, they wasted them all hence raising further doubt about their chances of getting a good result against Egypt in their 2010 World Cup qualifier next month. The youthful Taifa Stars dominated Amavubi especially in the midfield department, which must have left their coach Marcio Maximo a very happy man. Cyril Kauma and Jimmy Gatete were impressive in the first half and Gatete could have opened the scoring but his long range effort came off the crossbar. His other effort went just over the bar. Kauma was taken off in the second on came Andre Lomami to partner Gatete in attack but the Atraco striker did little to stake his claim on the team that will face Egypt. Gatete led the line quite well but lacked enough support from the midfield, which could not put together more than two good passes. As the match progressed, the crowd grew impenitent and the players played even poorer. Amavubi’s first half central midfield pairing of Karim Thamba and Joseph Yao tried the best they could but Taifa Stars dominated. Mwiseneza substituted Yao and Gaseruka came in for the injured Thamba in the second half. Defender Edwin Eric, who started the game at right back, played the entire second half in the midfield, a position he looked more comfortable than at right back. Tucak Branko was using the game as part of the preparations for next month’s 2010 World Cup/CAN qualifier against the African champions Egypt. Ends

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Taifa win battle of Stars