Uhamiaji spank Moro side as they eye back-to-back titles

Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Uhamiaji have sent a strong message to rivals in the First Division Netball League after recording a 62-32 victory over Tumbaku at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro yesterday.

The league, which started yesterday, comprises 11 teams with last year’s runners-up JKT Mbweni pulling out of this year’s edition.

The league will run through September 11 whereby four top teams will qualify for the Union League, which will be held in December.

In the opener, Uhamiaji, who are also the Union League champions, showed a clear intent of getting their title defence campaign with a bang as they registered a 14-8 lead in the first quarter.

Tumbaku came for the second quarter energetically and scored points in quick succession, but Uhamiaji, boasting experienced players, regained their poise and at the half time, they were leading by 43-23.

Tumbaku, who promise to become a force to reckon with in the country, returned for the third quarter determined to reduce the deficit, but paid dearly for lacking experience. Uhamiaji scored 19 goals in the remaining quarters while the Morogoro outfit managed a paltry nine, thus making the scoreboard read 62-32 after the final whistle.

Goal shooter Alinafi Kamwala was the heroine for Uhamiaji as she engineered mast of the goals.

Speaking after the match, Uhamiaji coach Winfrida Emmanuel praised her players for their hard work and victory in their opening match. “They displayed a team work spirit through the game. It wasn’t easy despite posting a big margin in the end. Tumbaku players did well to contain us, but I think they only lacked experience,” she said.

“Our mission is to defend successfully the title experience, so we will not underrate any team in this league.”

Fort his part, Tumbaku coach Said Maganga said hailed his players for their performance despite losing, urging them to roll up their sleeves in the forthcoming matches.

“My players played fairly well, but Uhamiaji took advantage of their experience to win. However, we are not out of the race yet; I am confident that we will bounce back,” he said.

“The defeat has served as a lesson. We will regroup and hopefully we will come back stronger and challenge for top positions.”

The league continues today with Uhamiaji taking on Jiji Tanga while Tumbaku will face Ras Kagera.