The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Suleiman Jongo
20 August 2008
Taifa Stars playmaker Mrisho Ngasa (blue jersey) goes airborne to evade a tackle by Ghanaian defender Yeboah Godfrey during a friendly international match played at the new National Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
An 84th minute dramatic goal by Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Kingstone enabled the visitors to hold Taifa Stars in a friendly match played at the new National Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Playing with full home ground advantage, the home boys started the match at a cracking pace and dictated terms for most of the first half before taking the lead.
Stars won applause from supporting fans with enterprising soccer based on short passes as Ghana settled for sporadic attacks as the match gained tempo.
Twice in a span of two minutes after kick off Stars midfielder Athumani Idd missed clear opportunities that would have earned his side an early lead.
Black Stars striker Larea Kingstone released a power packed shot that was parried to safety by Stars custodian Ivon Mapunda after twelve minutes.
Stars' striker Jerry Tegeta came close to score after 18 minutes only for Ghana defender Boye John to clear.
Two minutes later Nizar Khalfan shot wide while connecting Mrisho Ngasa's pinpoint pass.
Henry Joseph headed home Juma Jabu's swinging free kick that left Ghana first choice custodian Richard Kingstone gasping, after 34 minutes.
Stars looked a better side in the first half and proceeded to the dressing rooms with the lone goal lead.
On resumption, Stars put their opponents' goal under siege but profligate finishing had the strikers throw overboard several scoring chances.
The visitors took midfield dominance as the game moved closer to the end, coordinating well as Stars committed some fouls.
At the closing stages, Ghana played impressively searching for an equalizer as the home side resorted to a defensive game.
Seven minutes before regulation time, coach Marcio Maximo replaced industrious midfielder Athumani Idd with Shabani Nditi.
Barely a minute later Black Stars won a free kick just inside the home side's half.
Goalie Kingstone, who was also captain of Black Stars, left his post to motion to Larea Kingstone on how best to take the free kick. He then rushed to the Taifa Stars goal and unmarked, headed home the floated free kick that sent Mapunda on the wrong foot to pull the well deserved equaliser.
This is the sixth match between the two sides with Stars having won one, drew two and lost the rest. Tanzania Football Federation has parted with Sh175 million to host the West African side.
Line ups:Taifa Stars: Ivon Mapunda, Shadrack Nsajigwa, Juma Jabu, Salum Swedi, Nadir Haroub, Geoffrey Bonny, Mrisho Ngasa, Henry Joseph, Jerry Tegete/Musa Hassan (46), Athumani Idd/Shabani Nditi (84), Nizar Khalfan.
Black Stars: Richard Kingstone, Boye John, Godfrey Yeboah, Jonathan Quartey, Issah Gabriel, Apima Baruso, Larea Kingstone, Osei Gyan, Dickson Christopher, Tiero Kwabena, Narry Mousa.
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