Author: SULEIMAN JONGO
AfricaPress-Tanzania: AFTER losing to Rukwa in opener, Kilimanjaro eventually registered their first win of the CRDB Taifa Cup Basketball Championship by beating Tabora 67-63 in an entertaining game at Chinangali court here on Friday.
However, the winners started the first quarter on a wrong foot; going down to 8-19 that convinced their opponents of an easy victory at the end, but it was not.
However, they came up from behind to win the second quarter by 26-13 and finish the first half leading 34-32. The third quarter was even tough as the two sides settled for a 15-all draw.
The match was even tense in the last quarter as 19 seconds to time, the ground turned to be a ‘battle grounds’ each side scrambling for important points before the final whistle that eventually favoured Kilimanjaro to win 18-16.
“The match was tense and extremely exciting, but he who does not admit defeat is not a fighter,” said Godfrey Swai of Tabora.
He said they made worse ‘turnovers’ and their defensive was not much better in the last minutes of the game for their opponents to take the advantage.
Meanwhile, Frederick Emmanuel hit 70 points and Jeremiah Maghembe added 30 with Michael George supplementing others when Iringa demolished Singida by 110-32. Singida had nothing to offer from the onset, losing in the first set by 8-33.
They made things even worse in the second quarter to lose by 2-22.
“We have a good game plan that made us more confident.” “Our game’s spirit was high to win every department,” said Emmanuel.
He said that they stay focused on their yet another important today’s match against Arusha.
Bernard Charles of Iringa said losing was part of the match but they will work on their mistakes to bravely face Unguja today.
Meanwhile, Mwanza women beat Morogoro 65-55 as Coast Region (women) outsmarted Iringa 41-26.
The hosts, Dodoma had a bright Friday when they beat Morogoro and Arusha. In the men’s category, Dodoma beat Morogoro by 68-61 points while in the women’s discipline, Dodoma whipped Arusha by 69-21.
