Taifa Stars in Zambia stalemate

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 28 – Guest team and 2012 African Champions, Chipolopolo of Zambia held Tanzania to a one all draw in Group B match of the GOtv Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup played on a rained Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Ronald Kampamba put Zambia ahead in the first half through a powerful header while Said Hussein equalized for the Kilimanjaro Stars in the second half to make the match tight.

“The first half was very good for us, we scored just before half time which was good and the boys have leant on their mistakes, so I want to congratulate both teams and look forward for the next game.

“Our Group is tough, we have to perform well in the next match, the pitch was very demanding in terms of muscles, so we have to recover and prepare the second game against Burundi.

“We have to beat them for us to move forward,” the Chipolopolo coach Patrick Beaumelle said after the match.

“We approached the second half differently, pushing Zambia backwards leading to our equalizer, but we created a lot of chances which Mrisho Ngasa wasted.

“In the first half both teams started with a lot of respect for each other and both teams tried to find out how to play in the pitch that was slippery.

“When you go for a tournament it’s always important to get some points into your account from the beginning, but Zambia was a great team and we now plan for our next match,” Tanzania coach Kim Poulsen who said TP Mazembe duo of Thomas Ulimwengu and Mbwana samanta will join the team said.

With Stars dominating the better part of the match, Yanga prolific striker Mrisho Ngasa could have given his side the opener on the 21st minute when he beat Zambia defense, remaining with keeper Nsabata Toaster to beat but he blasted the shot wide.

Festus Ndewe piled pressure to the Stars defense in the 30^th minute but could not break through the solid back line.

Two minutes later, Gor Mahia Keeper Ivo Mapunda denied Felix Katongo a goal saving his powerful header.

However, his industry was finally rewarded in the 41st minute, bringing in a cross from the right that found Kampamba who headed home to separate the two sides.

With a minute left to the breather, Mapunda was forced to work extra hard, handling a powerful Festus Ndewe free kick to send Zambia leading one up into halftime.

Tanzania came into the second half fighting for goals, and indeed with only three minutes of play in the last half, Said Hussein equalized after heading home from a corner.

Mapunda was up to the task as he denied the Zambian strikers severally to enable both sides share one point a piece.

In the early kick-off, Burundi beat Somalia 2-0 with Christophe Nduwarugira striking the opener in the 41st minute before Abdul Razak sealed the victory to send Burundi top of the Group with three points.

Tanzania will play a wounded Somalia in their next match as guest team Zambia lock horns with Group leaders Burundi on Sunday at Nyayo National Stadium.

In Friday’s fixture, Sudan will play Eritrea while defending champions Uganda Cranes battle it out with the Amavumbi Stars of Rwanda.