Kihwelo blames Mwadui loss on ‘careless’ fixture change

Mwanza.  Mwadui FC head coach Jamhuri Kihwelo has cited change of fixture and ‘unplayable’ pitch as reasons for his team’s loss to Toto Africans on Wednesday.
The cash-rich Shinyanga side harboured hopes of avenging last year’s defeats to the Mwanza team, but ended up losing 1-0 at the Kirumba Stadium.
It was their first match the 2016/17 Vodacom Premier League season.
“We had prepared well for the match, but we were adversely affected by unexpected change of the match day,” said the former Simba coach who railed against the decision to reschedule the match to allow a music fiesta.
“You can’t reschedule a Premier League match just like that. If this is left to continue, then we should not expect football development in this country.
“Besides, the pitch was almost unplayable; my players really struggled to move the ball as we would have liked.”
Mwadui lost by a similar margin during the second round of the previous season.
For his part, Toto Africans head coach Rogasian Kaijage congratulated his players for fighting hard to bag the points at stake.
“They performed quite well throughout the 90 minutes of the match. The deserve credit for ensuring that we started the new season on the front foot,” said Kaijage who took up the reins during the pre-season.
He added: “We should have scored many goals had it not been for wastefulness. I want our front men to be as precise as possible, so we will keep on shaping their finishing skills.”
A first half goal netted by Waziri Junior gave the hosts a slim victory as they prepare to host Mbeya City on Sunday.
Mwadui will swing back into action tomorrow for a match against Mbao FC at Kirumba Stadium.
Mwadui, who looked disorganised especially in the first half, failed to show what made them one of the best teams in the 2015/16 season.
However, there were several solo efforts from Paul Nonga who joined Mwadui after ending his career with Yanga. Nonga inflicted many troubles to the hosts especially in the second half and managed to head home the ball in the dying minutes, but it was ruled offside.
Junior planted home the solitary goal in the 35th minute from a brilliant move. The team’s deadliest striker outwitted Mwadui defender, chested the ball before releasing a cheeky shot that beat advancing Mwadui FC goalkeeper.