Africa-Press – Tanzania. TWIGA Stars play South Sudan in their last group B match of the 2021 COSAFA Women’s Championship at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa today.
The country’s envoys have already qualified into the semifinals of the contest after producing a 2-0 win over Botswana which saw them topping group B with six points pocketed from two victories.
Two goals from Donisia Minja and Mwanahamis Omary were enough to give Tanzania the much needed triumph against a team which beat them in the competition’s last edition.
However, the game will be a bit easier for Twiga Stars as their opponents South Sudan have been eliminated after losing both of their two opening encounters 7-0 to Botswana and 2-1 to Zimbabwe which has seen them occupying the bottom slot of group B point-less.
A win will enable Twiga Stars to end group stage campaign with a 100 percent record without either losing or stamping a draw.
At a post-match briefing after defeating Botswana, Twiga Stars Head Coach Bakari Shime said patience and hard work were the two qualities which made them to qualify into the semifinals. In their first game, Twiga Stars produced a 3-0 triumph over Zimbabwe hence from their two games, they have scored five goals without conceding something which is exceptional for them.
“It was a tough game but I told the players to work hard and be patient until in the end, we got what we wanted from the game. We are happy to make it into the last four of the competition,” he said.
On her part, Fatuma Issa who was voted player of the match pointed out that they had time to watch video clips on how Botswana played in their first game.
“We analysed their strengths and weaknesses which in the end helped us a lot to contain their threats thereby leading to our victory,” she said.
She then dedicated the player of the match award she won to all Tanzanians and her teammates saying to be chosen was not a solo effort but rather the entire team worked together to make her look better.
Before facing Tanzania, Botswana hammered South Sudan 7-0 at the same venue but could not manage to break the concrete Twiga Stars defensive line on the day.
The country’s envoys are competing as a guest team and are also using the competition as part their preparations for the upcoming 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Tanzania will face Namibia in a two-legged match of the AFCON qualifiers with the first leg slated on October 20th at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the return match is pegged on October.
