Tanzania's Taifa Stars beat Cote D'Ivore

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars handed hosts Cote D’Ivoire their second loss at the ongoing maiden edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) by beating them 1-0 on Wednesday in their Group A clash at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.

Striker Ngasa Mrisho’s 37th minute header completely killed off the hopes of the host nation at the tournament designed exclusively for local based footballers.
The result leaves Cote D’Ivoire firmly at the bottom of the group standings pointless and with no chance of making it to the next stage irrespective of the outcome of their final fixture against Senegal on Saturday.

For Tanzania, it serves a booster to their aspirations of progressing to the next stage, with the ultimate clash against leaders Zambia.

The game started on a high tempo with the Elephants launching consistent raids into the half of the Tanzanians, who matched them squarely.
Cheered by the home crowd, the Ivorian’s out-shadowed their opponents by holding onto the ball with the likes Karamoko Alassane, Guehi Kouko and N’gossan Antoine earning the applause of the fans with their skillful play.

The Tanzanians resorted to operating on the counter, and anytime they attacked the Ivorian defence was caught wanting.

The hosts were the first to come close to scoring but Diomande Herve’s header from Karamoko’s free-kick missed narrowly with Tanzania goalie Mohamed Shaban left sprawling.

Not even the consistent switch of tactics by the Elephants could yield the opener as the Tanzania midfield duo of Khalfan Nizar and Kigi Makasi thwarted most of their attacks.

During one of their counter moves upfront after foiling an Ivorian attack, Khalfan fetched Shindika Henry on the right, before the latter crossed to Ngasa who headed past Elephants goalie Angban Vincent for the only goal of the match.

The Ivorians resumed the second half strongly but the Tanzanian defence remained resolute.
Coach Georges Kouadio brought on Djebi Trazie and Bile Georges for Tanoh Jacques and Karamoko respectively in his quest to fortify his attack, but his strikers were always short of ideas in front of goal.

The latter stages of the saw the Ivorians multiply in attack, but the Taifa Stars rearguard defended gallantly to claim their first win of the Championship.

Quotes
Georges Kouadio (Coach, Cote D’Ivoire)
“I am very disappointed we lost again. We had never anticipated for such fortune during the competition.
“We attacked throughout the game, but the Tanzania defence was up to task. They were tactically better and deserved the victory.”

Marcio Maximo (Coach, Tanzania)
“My players were tactically disciplined and the result showed. My team is a young team with an average age of 22.
“The experience is very good for my team, and we will build on that in subsequent matches.”