Mainland League stars shine in AFCON qualifiers
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
From left: Duke Abuya (Kenya), Mudathir Yahya Abbas (Tanzania), and Kennedy Musonda (Zambia). PHOTO | COURTESY
By Majuto Omary
Sports Reporter
Mwananchi Communications Ltd
Dar es Salaam. The first and second rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers for the 2025 tournament in Morocco concluded on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
With these rounds completed, various teams now have a clearer picture of their standings in the race for qualification ahead of next year’s AFCON finals in Morocco.
Several players from the Tanzanian Premier League represented their respective countries in these qualifiers, contributing to their teams' victories or draws.
However, some players were called up to their national teams but did not play in any matches.
Among them was Stephane Aziz Ki, the top scorer of the Tanzanian Premier League. Despite being called up by the Burkina Faso national team, Aziz Ki did not play in any of their matches, including the 3-1 win against Malawi and the 1-1 draw against Senegal.
Simba's first-choice goalkeeper, Moussa Camara, was another player who did not feature in any matches.
He was part of the Guinea national team, which failed to secure a victory in their two games, losing 1-0 to DR Congo and 2-1 to Tanzania.
Players Who Impressed
Duke Abuya
Duke Abuya vies for a ball against Namibia's player during the AFCON Qualifiers match at Orlando Stadium.
Kenya’s Duke Abuya played a crucial role for the national football team, the Harambee Stars.
The Yanga player scored in the 76th minute after being set up by Erick Otieno, while John Avire netted Kenya's first goal in the 57th minute.
Abuya also featured in the first match against Zimbabwe, which ended in a goalless draw.
Kennedy Musonda
Yanga’s striker Kennedy Musonda celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Sierra Leone at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Yanga’s striker Kennedy Musonda made his mark by scoring the opening goal in the 28th minute, assisted by Lubambo Musonda, in a 3-2 win against Sierra Leone at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
In that match, another Yanga player, Clatous Chama, played 89 minutes before being substituted by Benson Sakala.
Yanga's players Clatous Chama (left) and Kennedy Musonda during the match between Zambia at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Both players also featured in the first-leg match against Ivory Coast, which ended in a 2-0 defeat.
Mudathir Yahya
Mudathir Yahya celebrates with team mates after scoring the second goal for Taifa Stars during a match against Guinea at Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
Mudathir Yahya was in the spotlight after scoring a crucial goal in Taifa Stars' 2-1 victory against Guinea. Yahya, who plays for Yanga, found the net in the 88th minute, capitalizing on a rebound following a powerful shot from Feisal “Fei Toto” Salum.
Feisal "Fei Toto" Salum
Feisal "Fei Toto" Salum celebrates after scoring a vital equalizing goal for Taifa Stars against Guinea.
Azam FC's Feisal "Fei Toto" Salum scored a vital equalizing goal for Taifa Stars against Guinea.
His goal put Tanzanian football stakeholders back on track after Guinea had taken the lead in the 57th minute through Mohamed Bayo.
Djigui Diarra
Yanga's first-choice goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra, represented Mali and helped the team secure four points. He was in goal for the 1-1 draw against Mozambique at home and played all minutes in the 1-0 away win against Eswatini.
Khalid Aucho and Steven Mukwala
Yanga's Khalid Aucho played for the Uganda national football team and helped them collect four points. Aucho was part of the squad that drew 2-2 against South Africa and later won 2-0 against Congo Brazzaville at home.
Steven Mukwala during training with Uganda national team.
In the match against Congo, Aucho played 88 minutes before being substituted by Simba's Steven Mukwala, who played a total of 74 minutes across both matches.
