Africa-Press – Tanzania. AFTER scoring the winner that placed Taifa Stars at the summit of group J in 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, midfield star Feisal Salum said determination was secret to the vital to the worthy victory.
The country’s flag carriers produced a 3-2 triumph against Madagascar at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Tuesday, and the win drove them above other three challengers with 4 points, beating the second-placed Benin with superior goal count.
DR Congo are third with 2 points while Madagascar remain point-less at the bottom of the table after losing both of their two opening matches against Benin and Tanzania apiece.
The game was unpredictable when Stars gave away their 2-0 lead in the first half as their opponents managed to level the deficit before the interval thereby forcing the hosts to come back refreshed in a hunt for home-ground victory.
“It was not an easy game since this is an international contest whereby each team wants to win. Our opponents were good because most of them play in Europe hence; they played a nice football. “We thank God for winning this match and there was nothing special other than following what the coach told us to do throughout the match,” he explained.
His coach, Kim Poulsen said time has come to make Benjamin Mkapa Stadium a stronghold for Taifa Stars from Tuesday.
“After the away draw and a win at home, confidence among players has grown. I really hope that when we play our next match in October, fans will be allowed in the stadium…that will give us a boost to perform brilliantly,” Poulsen said.
He also expressed his optimistic that striker John Bocco will be present in their next duel while declaring that his services were greatly missed in two matches they played. On his part, full-back Shomari Kapombe also said he was pleased with the victory while insisting that they will continue to aim high to win all their upcoming home games.
“The most important thing is the three points we bagged. We made mistakes in the first half which enabled them (Madagascar) to equalise two goals, but in the second half, they made a blunder and we scored. That is what football is all about,” Kapombe said.
He then requested the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to look at possibilities of convincing FIFA to allow some fans in the stadium in their next home encounters saying supporters are very important as they help to give them extra energy.
On his part, Madagascar trainer Nicolas Dupuis accepted the outcome saying they need to learn from what transpired after the game.
“Physically it was very difficult and mentally we made many mistakes that’s why I say we need to learn something. Collectively, Tanzania was a better side and I give them credit for that. But, we need to work hard to do well in our next games,” he said.
