Eagles were lucky, Tanzanian striker brags

In from Nifemi Daniel …

Taifa Stars ace striker Mbwana Samata said the Super Eagles were lucky to escape with a goalless draw during the Day two of the Africa Nations Cup qualifier match played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam last Saturday.

The striker said the entire forward line was in hectic mood to score and the panic prevailed every time they had an opportunity and as a result nobody scored.

“All of us had strong urge to score and this excessive quest distorted our efforts as panic never makes ends meet”, said the striker who features for Democratic Republic of Congo’s Lubumbashi-based giants TP Mazembe.

The striker rued the missed scoring chances that would have elevated Stars into their first victory in the six-match qualifier series. He admitted that they played as a well organised team and crated a galore of chances only to become profligate as visiting Nigerians escaped defeat in close shave circumstances.

However, Samata said Stars now play as a formidable team and there is a possibility to pull victory in the remaining four matches even if played outside their base in Dar es Salaam.

Read also: Nigeria vs Tanzania: What went wrong, by Oliseh

Samata was one of the three foreign-based Tanzanian players who were lined up in the match against Nigeria last Saturday. Others are his team mate at TP Mazembe, Thomas Ulimwengu and South African-based Mrisho Ngasa who features for Free State Stars.

After barren draw with Nigeria, Stars have earned their first point in the qualifiers’ and their next assignments to play against Chad in Ndjamena in March next year.

Two home games remain in the qualifiers track with Chad and Egypt as the opponents. Stars have to play the balance of two other matches away in Nigeria and Chad.

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