Tanzania’s Taifa Stars played out a 2-2 draw against visiting Mozambique in their 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) second round, first leg qualifier at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
All goals came in the second half with Taifa Stars paying for defensive lapses, conceding in the dying minutes to put a huge dent on their bid to qualify for the group phase of the qualifiers.
The game started off at a cracking pace with both teams generating a number of chances in the opening exchange.
The home team gradually took command and launched incursions into Mozambique’s area but wasted several clear chances through John Bocco, Mrisho Ngassa and Erasto Nyoni.
Bocco ought to have broken the deadlock midway through the first half after being played in by Mbwana Samata but his effort was no problem for the Mozambican goalkeeper.
Mozambique’s defense frustrated Tanzania for much of the game while their attack created a couple of legitimate scoring opportunities, with Isaac Pelembe proving handful to the Stars defense.
After a goalless first half, Elias Pelembe shot Mozambique into the lead from the spot on 47 minutes. The Mambas were awarded the penalty after Tanzanian defender Kelvin Yondan brought down Helder Pelembe inside the vital area.
Tanzania responded strongly and went close to cancel the visitors’ lead minutes later when towering striker John Bocco’ shot struck the post and Mbwana Samata fired in the rebound, but his joy was cut short when he was flagged offside.
Substitute Mcha Hamis, who had replaced ineffective Mrisho Ngassa early in the second half, finally succeeded to draw Taifa Stars level on 65 minutes with a stunning shot and six minutes later, the diminutive attacking midfielder put the home side 2-1 up from the spot.
Isaac Carvalho stunned the sizeable home crowd when he netted the equalizer on 87 minutes, barely two minutes after coming on for Josemar Machaisse.
Tanzania has never eliminated Mozambique in the AFCON qualifiers and faces a tall mountain to climb in the return leg due in in Maputo on 3 August.
The winner will face Zambia in the Group F opener on September 6. Cape Verde and Niger are the other teams in the group.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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