Temeke girls are the new ARS champions
Ilala player Fatuma Yusuf (left) vies for the ball against Temeke striker Oppa Masoud when the teams played in the girlsÕ final of Airtel Rising Stars at Karume Memorial Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Temeke won 7-6 on penalties. PHOTO | COUTESY
What you need to know:
- The two sides battled to a two-all draw in regulation time.
- Ilala drew the first blood in the ninth minute when Dinangwe Atupele scored from close range before Nasma scored the second goal in the 53rd minute. The goals boosted Ilala’s morale and continued attacking with verve.
Dar es Salaam. Temeke Girls are the champions of the sixth edition of the U-17 Airtel Rising Stars after edging Ilala 5-4 in post-match penalties.
The two sides battled to a two-all draw in regulation time.
Ilala drew the first blood in the ninth minute when Dinangwe Atupele scored from close range before Nasma scored the second goal in the 53rd minute. The goals boosted Ilala’s morale and continued attacking with verve.
Temeke regained composure in the 59th minute when Batuli Hassani pulled one back from a powerful shoot which left Ilala goalkeeper diving to no avail.
They equalized in 62nd minute from a spot kick after their striker was brought down in the dangerous area. In the post-match shootouts, Temeke got their penalties through Shamimu Hamis, Oppa Msolidi, Christina Daudi, Yustina Mboje and Eva Wailes While Ilala got theirs through Jackline Albert, Zainab Mrisho, Grace Tom and Eva Charles.
Meanwhile, Temeke Boys won the third slot of the U-17 national Airtel Rising Stars finals when they beat Kinondoni 5-4 in post-match shootouts following a 0-0 stalemate in the regulation time.
The closely contested match which kept coaches on their toes throughout started on a quick pace with each side looking for an early goal but, surprisingly enough, all early scoring opportunities did not bear fruit. “The match was so tough and I am not surprised that the winner was obtained through penalties,” said Kinondoni coach Everist Katomondo and commended Temeke for becoming third winners of the tournament.
He praised the standard of football showcased by the youngsters throughout the competition.
For his part, Temeke coach Shawwal Bilanga thanked his players for being calm and focused during penalties. Temeke got their penalty goals through Ramadhani Kawambo, Frank Mlawa, Suleiman Suleiman, Ismail Kovu and Salum Salum. Said Maulid’s kick sailed above the cross bar.
Kinondoni’s penalties were converted by Shaban Mohamed, Ally Hamis, Muhando Mustapher and Sulum Yusufu. Those who missed are Michael Gerald and Salum Shaban. However, Kinondoni managed to win the third prize in girls’ category when they slashed visiting Arusha 2-0. Both goals were scored by Veronica Mapunda who was outstanding throughout the match.
Mapunda scored the first goal in the 15th minute when she outraced Arusha defenders to slot the ball into the net with a powerful shoot. The goal evoked wild celebrations from supporters. Until half time the score was 1-0.
On resumption, both teams made some changes which however, did not change the pace of the game and Mapunda scored again in the 55th minute after receiving a cross from the left wing to register the second goal.
