KEN Gold Football Club managed to secure their first point of the NBC Premier League season following a 1-1 draw against Tabora United at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya. Despite taking an early lead, the newly promoted team couldn’t hold on and were forced to settle for a draw.

This result ends Ken Gold's run of five consecutive defeats, marking a small but important step forward in their challenging debut season. Their previous losses came against Singida Black Stars (3-1), Fountain Gate (2-1), Kagera Sugar (2-1), KMC (1-0), and reigning champions Young Africans SC (1-0). 

As a result, Ken Gold remain at the bottom of the table with one point after six matches.

Ken Gold began the match with a solid performance, eventually breaking the deadlock just before halftime. Their early goal raised hopes of a long-awaited victory, but Tabora United remained a consistent threat, especially through their star forward Yacouba Sogne, who was a key player in their attack. However, Ken Gold’s defense held strong, withstanding pressure throughout the first half.

Tabora United, however, came back stronger in the second half. Coach Francis Kimanzi made a crucial substitution at halftime, bringing on striker Heritier Makambo for midfielder Abdalah Seseme. This tactical switch injected fresh energy into the Tabora attack, and the team grew in confidence as the game progressed.

The visitors’ persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when Andy Bikoko found the equalizer, taking advantage of a defensive lapse from Ken Gold. His well-placed header silenced the home crowd and secured a valuable point for Tabora United, who now sit at eight points after six matches.

Ken Gold head coach Jumanne Chale was both reflective and hopeful in his post-match remarks. 

“The mistakes from our defenders cost us again, allowing the opponent to score a free header,” he said. “But considering the fatigue from our difficult game against Young Africans, I can’t be too disappointed. This point is the beginning of our journey towards victory.”

Chale acknowledged the toll the team’s recent schedule had taken on his players, but he remains optimistic that they can turn things around. 

“We will correct our mistakes and prepare for our next match against JKT Tanzania. We haven’t given up yet,” he added.

Tabora United’s coach, Francis Kimanzi, was pleased with his team’s resilience and tactical adjustment. 

“After we conceded the goal, I saw that our midfield was not as effective, so I decided to replace Seseme with Makambo to boost our attack,” Kimanzi explained. “The substitution worked, and we were able to equalize. One point away from home is not a bad result, especially considering the circumstances.”

Kimanzi emphasized his team’s preparation for their next match, an away fixture against Dodoma Jiji.

“Now, we will turn our focus to our upcoming away game against Dodoma Jiji. We will prepare well and aim for another positive result,” he concluded.

Ken Gold’s upcoming schedule is crucial as they aim to climb off the bottom of the table. They will face JKT Tanzania at home on October 4 before traveling to Mashujaa FC. Following those matches, they will have a tough away game against Azam FC, followed by a home clash with Dodoma Jiji and another away fixture against Tanzania Prisons.

Tabora United, on the other hand, will face Dodoma Jiji FC in their next away match before traveling to play JKT Tanzania. They will then take on league giants Young Africans before returning home to face Pamba Jiji FC and Mashujaa FC.

As the NBC Premier League season continues, both teams will be eager to improve their performances and climb the table, with Ken Gold looking to secure their first win and Tabora United aiming for more consistency in their campaign.