Magereza and defending champion Moshi Khalsa collected maximum points to book today’s semi-final place at the Nyerere hockey tournament at Sikh Club ground in Moshi, Kilimanjaro on Saturday.
Magereza 4-0 goals win against Arusha Tigers confirmed them top of Group A, with four points from two matches at the six-team tournament. Moshi Khalsa won Group B table with the same points.
According to the Tanzania Hockey Association (THA), Secretary Kaushik Doshi, Bromwel Lijody and Samwel Webo each scored two at first half to seal Magereza win and set semi-final showdown with Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF), who finished Group B runners up.
Magereza reached the stage without concede a goal after winning 5-0 in their opening game against Kili Vijana on Friday at the same ground.
They will now await TPDF resistance today who finish Group B runners up with a win and a defeat.
After embarrassing 5-2 defeat to defending champion Moshi Khalsa on Friday TPDF came strongly to crush Zanzibar 4-0 yesterday.
In their opening match, TPDF were hoping to extend their winning streak to Moshi Khalsa after beating them at the Mapinduzi Cup. The soldiers went on to win 2-1 at home to Moshi Khalsa in an exciting semi-final match of the Mapinduzi Cup at the Lugalo Barracks ground in Dar es Salaam in February.
The defending champion Moshi Khalsa 5-2 win over TPDF was made possible by players’ fighting spirit. The goals were netted by Wanagwe Daris (2), Kane Richard, Bhamra Varinderpal, and penalty by Bhamra Navraj. Focus Paulo and Elias Samala were on TPDF consolation goals score-line.
At yesterday match they beat Khalsa thrashed Zanzibar 8-0. The Zanzibaris looked tired apparently after they played all their two matches on Saturday.
Moshi Khalsa will face winner of the match between Kili Vijana and Arusha Tigers, who were in action late on Saturday.
The three-day tournament to honour Tanzania’s first President Julius Nyerere for the fifth consecutive year is sponsored by Sikh Community of Moshi.
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5th lead
Mtende Rangers go top of isles league
From MWAJUMA JUMA in Zanzibar
MTENDE Rangers went top of the table of the Zanzibar Grand Malt Premier League with a 2-1 win over Polisi at the Mao Tse Tung Stadium here on Friday.
It was a seesaw encounter as both teams started strongly in search for early goals but Polisi were much into the limelight.
Polisi went ahead in the 28th minute through Khalid Kheir but their celebrations were short-lived as Mtende Rangers pulled level three minutes later when Yahya Said Tumbo blasted home with a close range.
The two sides tied 1-1 at the breather. After the restart both teams attacked in turns and there were few near misses.
As fans began to leave the stadium believing the match will end all square, there was still time for Mtende Rangers to snatch a late winner, when Tumbo grabbed his second and the winner for his team. Mtende Rangers are now top of the table on 16 points
