How Stars shattered Blida vendetta

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How Stars shattered Blida vendetta

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Saturday, 04 September 2010 20:36

By Samson Mfalila

A thunderous first half free kick from Abdi Kasim and an outstanding second half display from goalkeeper Shaaban Kado gave Taifa Stars a dream start to their 2012 AFCON qualifying campaign.
It took Taifa Stars 18 minutes to get their first shot of the match through Mrisho Ngasa.

Despite the shot being off target, the opportunity galvanised Taifa Stars who finally began showing signs of a fluid passing game.

In the 31st minute a brisk Tanzanian counter attack was stopped short by Adlene Guedioura, who conceded a free kick from well outside the area.
The Tanzanian number ten, Abdi Kassim, took charge of the set piece and subsequently stunned the stadium with a powerful left footed drive that swerved past the badly placed defensive wall and went right into Rais M’Bolhi’s net.
Four minutes later things could have gone from bad to worse for the Desert Fox (Fennecs) but their ‘keeper made an impressive save on a Tanzanian strike from point blank range that followed some impressive buildup play from Taifa Stars midfielders led by professionals, Nizar Khalfan and Henry Joseph.
Right before halftime Algeria came close to equalizing but Hassan Yebda missed the frame with a header that should have been left for Ziaya.

Just when it looked like the Algerians would be heading into their dressing room down a goal, Guedioura atoned for his earlier mistake with an absolute cannon ball from forty yards out that found the top right corner and reignited the Blida crowd.

At the beginning of the second period the Algeria ratcheted up the pressure once more and could have scored their second but Ghezzal ended up clearing a goal bound Djebbour lob instead of heading it into the net.
Ziaya came close to scoring as well after an excellent run and cross by Belhadj but Shaaban Kado intervened just in time. In the 73rd minute, the Taifa Stars goalie was once again the savior, stopping a close range Abdoun volley.

Algeria tried everything to get the winner but a courageous Tanzanian team held on until the end and can now celebrate having earned their first away point of 2012 AFCON qualifying.
The result is a setback for Rabah Saadane’s men who now have to seek a win in the Central African Republic before they host neighbours Morocco.

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