Mbeya City 3-1 Coastal Union: Hosts avenge previous loss to boost survival chances
The hosts managed to claim maximum points to get closer to safety in a top-tier game staged at Sokoine Stadium
Mbeya City have boosted their survival chances in the Tanzania Mainland League after a 3-1 win over Coastal Union on Monday evening.
Absalom Chidiebele, Rehani Kibingu and Peter Mapunda scored for the home team with Ibrahim Ame getting a consolation for the visitors.
The match was scheduled for Sunday July 5 at the same venue but challenges on the road led to the postponement as the team reached late and players were not in the right shape to play.
The Green City Boys started the match on a high and they were rewarded after four minutes when Absalom Chidiebele managed to beat the defenders before coolly slotting the ball past the custodian.
Rehani Kibingu doubled the advantage in the 33rd minute to send the visitors into a panic mode.
However, they recollected themselves and ensured they do not concede another goal in the remaining minutes of the first half.
After the break, it took the Tanga based side 25 minutes to pull a goal back courtesy of Ibrahim Ame strike. It is a goal which gave Coastal Union hopes of making a comeback.
However, it was not going to be the case as Peter Mapunda finished a good move in the 87th minute to restore a two-goal advantage and help his team get maximum points.
The result is also sweet revenge for the hosts who lost the first round in Tanga 2-0.
Despite the win, Mbeya are still locked in the relegation zone. They are in 18th position with 36 points, two below safety after nine wins, as many draws and 15 losses in the 33 games played.
Coastal Union are fifth on the log with 48 points after winning 13 matches, drawing nine and losing 11.
Article continues below
In other league matches played last weekend, Azam FC were the biggest winners as they defeated relegated Singida United 7-0.
Zimbabwean Obrey Chirwa scored four goals, Selemani Nado hit a brace while David Natley scored an own goal to complete the route. The Chamazi-based side is now second on the log with 62 points, 18 less than champions Simba SC who were held to a 0-0 draw by Ndanda FC.
27-time league champions Yanga SC were also held to a goalless draw by Biashara Mara United.
