In an intense Group C encounter of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup held at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Sunday night, Singida Black Stars SC managed to salvage a 1-1 draw against South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC. This result comes after a disappointing start to their group campaign, as the Tanzanian Premier League side sought redemption following their opening-match loss.
The match kicked off with Singida Black Stars exhibiting a dominating performance, showcasing their determination to improve their fortunes in the tournament. Despite their aggressive play and several opportunities to break the deadlock, the hosts found themselves unable to convert possession into goals during the first half.
The game took a turn in the 52nd minute when Stellenbosch’s Langelihle Phili capitalized on a perfectly executed cross from Ashley Cupido, finding the back of the net and giving the visitors a surprising lead. Following this setback, Singida intensified their offensive efforts, looking for a way back into the match.
Substitutes often change the dynamics of a game, and Marouf Tchakei certainly made an impact. He came close to leveling the score in the 74th minute, but his clever chip attempt was expertly parried away by the Stellenbosch goalkeeper, keeping the scoreline at 1-0. Singida’s resilience, however, paid off when, in a dramatic turn of events during stoppage time, they were awarded a penalty.
With the weight of the match resting on his shoulders, Tchakei stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty, bringing joy to the home crowd and securing a vital point for Singida Black Stars FC. Despite the draw, they remain at the bottom of Group C with just 1 point, while Stellenbosch leads the group with 4 points. Otoho d’oyo and CR Belouizdad are in the mix as well, both closely trailing with 3 points each.
In other news from the competition, Nairobi United FC, another team hailing from the CECAFA zone, faced disappointment in their match against DR Congo’s AS Maniema played at the Kasarani Stadium. Despite a valiant effort, they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat, with Jaency Mboma Kinda scoring the only goal of the match in the 67th minute. Nairobi United, along with Azam FC, now finds themselves without any points as Wydad AC and AS Maniema lead Group B with 6 points each.
As the group stages proceed, the pressure mounts for all teams involved, with every point proving crucial for advancing to the next rounds. Singida Black Stars will hope to build on this late equalizer in their upcoming fixtures, while Nairobi United searches for their first points in the tournament.
