Misery as Burundi spoil Stars’ party

Dar es Salaam. Burundi’s national soccer team, Intamba Murugamba came from behind to notch up a 2-1 win over Taifa Stars in an international friendly match at the National Stadium yesterday.

The well-attended match was part of the celebrations to mark 53 years of Tanzania Mainland’s Independence.

Stars took the lead in the 11th minute through Yusuph Rashid, but two superb goals by Burundi’s Nininagazwe Fabrice and Niyonkuru Nassor killed off whatever hopes the hosts had of giving Tanzanians an ideal Uhuru gift.

It was the third defeat for Stars to the Intamba Murugamba in international friendly matches in six months.

In April, they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Burundians at the same venue before going down 2-0 in Bujumbura in September.

Stars, looking to kill the jinx that has seen them going down whenever they are up against the Burundians, made a bright start and seemed destined for a win when Rashid connected home a Michael Gadiel cross with a tricky shot.

They almost doubled the lead in the 18th minute when Adam Miraji broke through, but his close range shot went a few centimetres wide.

As expected, the visitors responded in the 21st minute when Nininagazwe Fabrice’s thunderbolt was bravely parried off by goalkeeper Manula Aisha for an abortive corner.

There were some nervy moments for the hosts’ defenders when the Burundians pressed upfront relentlessly in search of an equalizer.

Another chance for Burundi to level matters came in the 24th minute when Fabrice’s effort was palmed away by Adam Miraji.

Nininagazwe equalized for Burundi in the 24th minute when he cleverly beat Stars defenders to unleash a long shot that gave goalkeeper Manula no chance.

Burundi’s flashes of danger before the break were a sign of things to come, as they made stronger start to the second half.

Mavungo Laudit wasted an excellent opportunity when his shot was saved by goalkeeper Manula, but the Burundians were ruthless with their next effort. In the 78th minute, Niyonkuru made it 2-1 for Burundi, concluding a spadework by Mubango with a low but tricky shot.

Line-up:

Taifa Stars: Manula Aishi, Adam Miraji, Michael Gadiel, Mgeveke Joram, Andrew Vicent, Mbonde Salum, Yusuph Rashid, Hassan Banda, Green Atupele, Kelvin Friday, Moshi Hussen.