MASHUJAA FC emerged triumphant with a commanding 3-0 win over Ken Gold FC in an NBC Premier League match held on Monday at the Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma.

The victory not only delighted the home fans but also lifted Mashujaa to the sixth position in the league standings.

The head coach of Mashujaa FC, Mohamed Abdallah ‘Bares’ (pictured), praised his team’s performance, particularly highlighting the importance of securing all three points despite having struggled with goal-scoring in previous matches.

“Although one goal could have been enough, the most important thing is to collect all three points. In the past games, we struggled to score, but today, the boys corrected their mistakes and managed to score three goals,” Bares said after the match.

The coach explained that the team started the match with a 3-5-2 formation, which allowed the wingers to contribute both offensively and defensively. 

However, he acknowledged that after the initial ten minutes, Mashujaa began to lose possession, and Ken Gold put up a resilient fight.

“In the second half, we came back with more energy and corrected our earlier mistakes, which helped us secure the win. 

“Kengold is a good team; they are known for using long balls to launch quick attacks, but we managed to adjust during the game, and this proved to be crucial,” he noted.

The coach emphasized that the team’s success was largely due to tactical changes made during the match and their ability to exploit some of Ken Gold’s weaknesses. 

“We cannot overlook the fact that Ken Gold played well, and we congratulate them for their efforts. But our strategic adjustments helped us, especially in the second half where we controlled possession and were more effective,” he added.

Mashujaa FC’s victory was spearheaded by striker Ismail Mohamed Mgunda, who netted two goals during the game. 

Mgunda opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a well-placed shot that set the tone for the rest of the match. 

He doubled Mashujaa’s lead just before halftime, converting a penalty in the 45th minute to give his side a comfortable advantage going into the break.

In the dying moments of the game, Julius Laban Kamoga sealed the win with a third goal in the 86th minute, ensuring that Mashujaa FC secured all three points in front of their home fans.

With this win, Mashujaa FC now sit in sixth place on the league table, having played seven matches. The team has secured three wins, three draws, and suffered only one loss, giving them a total of 12 points. 

In terms of goal-scoring, Mashujaa FC have netted seven goals while conceding just three, leaving them with a goal difference of +4.

Their recent form has been solid, with two wins, two draws, and only one loss in their last five matches. The team will look to continue their upward trajectory in the coming fixtures, with their next match scheduled away to Fountain Gate FC on October 28. 

After that, Mashujaa FC will face a tough test at home against Simba SC on November 1, followed by an away game against Tabora United, and home fixtures against Namungo FC and Kagera Sugar.

For Ken Gold, the loss extends what has been a difficult season. The team finds itself at the bottom of the table, sitting in 16th position with just four points from eight matches. 

Ken Gold have managed only one win and one draw so far, with six losses weighing heavily on their campaign. 

Their struggles are further highlighted by their goal-scoring and defensive record, having scored only four goals while conceding 13, making them the second-worst defensive side in the league.

Ken Gold’s upcoming matches will be crucial if they are to turn their season around. They face a tough away match against Azam FC next, followed by a home game against Dodoma Jiji FC. 

Further fixtures include away trips to Tanzania Prisons and home games against Coastal Union and Pamba Jiji SC.

While Mashujaa FC will look to build on this victory and continue climbing up the standings, Ken Gold will need to regroup quickly if they hope to avoid relegation. 

The stark contrast between the two teams’ positions on the table reflects their respective forms, and as the league progresses, each match will become more critical for both sides.

For Mashujaa FC, the upcoming fixtures will serve as a test of consistency, especially with challenging matches against top teams like Simba SC on the horizon. 

On the other hand, Ken Gold will need to start collecting points soon to avoid falling deeper into the relegation zone.