Man of the match Yusuf Keita of Iringa scores for his team as Manyara's goalie Abdul Maulid spraws on the turf during yesterday's Taifa Cup opener at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Iringa won 4-1.

Iringa regional team, Ruaha Stars yesterday sent packing Manyara on a 4-1 score line at the opening match of the Taifa Cup tourney played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The championship was declared open by Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda who also presented Sh100,000 to Ruaha's Yusuf Keita who emerged man of the match.

Ruaha Stars started yesterday's match as clear favourites when striker Jeremiah Juma opened the scoring spree as early as the fifth minute.

Barely two minutes later Manyara came close to equalise but Mohamed Omar opted to dive in search of a penalty that was not to be.

Star striker Keita was on target for Ruaha Stars with the second goal at 16 minutes.

Manyara's Sunday Mushee converted a penalty awarded by referee Victor Mwandike when Hamis Mponzanyema was brought down inside the area by Ruaha Stars' Kasim Mataka, on 21 minutes.

The eventual winners progressed to the dressing rooms with a 2-1 goal advantage.

On resumption Jeremia Juma put the match beyond the reach of the Manyara team with a third goal on 59 minutes off Keita's defence splitting pass.

With seconds ticking away to end the match Jeremiah Juma hammered the final nail in Manyara's coffin when he connected home Claude Wigenge's pass precisely on 90 minutes.

Manyara were sent packing while Ruaha Stars progressed into the next round to play Arusha regional side.

Two matches will be staged today at the same venue as Tanga plays Kagera from 2pm while Kigoma meet Ruvuma two hours later.

Line ups:

Iringa: Aswile Asukile, Samora