IN a tense NBC Premier League encounter at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha on Tuesday, Coastal Union clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Kagera Sugar, thanks to Semfuko Daudi’s decisive late header.

The Tanga-based team secured all three points, lifting their spirits and improving their standing in the league table.

The breakthrough came in the 85th minute, when Coastal Union’s Congolese winger Lumière Banza delivered a well-placed cross into the box. 

Semfuko leaped high, connecting with a powerful header that left Kagera Sugar’s goalkeeper, Ramadhan Chalamanda, no chance to save. The goal ignited jubilant celebrations among Coastal Union fans, who witnessed their team’s persistence pay off in the final minutes.

Just before Semfuko’s winner, the game took an unexpected turn as Coastal Union missed an opportunity to go ahead through a penalty. 

In the 76th minute, the referee awarded a penalty after ruling that Kagera Sugar’s Omary Chibada handled the ball inside the area. However, Coastal Union’s forward, Maabad Maabad, failed to convert as Chalamanda made a crucial save to keep the score level.

After the match, Coastal Union head coach Juma Mwambusi (pictured) expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, though he also pointed out areas needing improvement. 

“I’m very pleased with the three points,” Mwambusi remarked. “The players fought hard, and I congratulate them for their resilience until the end. Although we won, we missed several chances, including a penalty, so we still have work to do in finishing our opportunities.”

Mwambusi highlighted Coastal Union’s ongoing challenge of converting chances into goals, a concern he feels must be addressed to maintain their competitive edge in the league. 

“We created plenty of chances today, as in previous games, but our finishing needs improvement,” he explained. “As a coach, I’ll be focusing on helping the team make better use of space and convert more opportunities in future games.”

Looking ahead, Mwambusi shared that Coastal Union’s preparations have already started for their next fixture against Singida Black Stars. 

“Preparation starts now for our upcoming match,” he said. “Our goal is to build on this momentum, work hard in training, and aim for another three points.”

The Coastal Union coach also took a moment to commend Kagera Sugar for their resilience and tactical discipline, acknowledging that their defensive strategy made it challenging for Coastal Union to break through. 

“Kagera Sugar played a solid game, and their tactics challenged us,” Mwambusi added. “Facing these kinds of challenges only motivates us to strengthen our own strategies.”

Under Mwambusi’s leadership, Coastal Union have shown significant improvement since he took over after the departure of David Ouma. 

In their last five games, Coastal Union have achieved three wins, one draw, and one loss. They currently sit in eighth place in the league table with 11 points from eight matches, scoring nine goals and conceding ten.

Meanwhile, Kagera Sugar continue to struggle in the league, managing only one win this season alongside six draws and two losses. Their position in the lower half of the table puts pressure on Kagera Sugar’s head coach and players to turn around their fortunes in upcoming matches to avoid a relegation battle.

As both teams regroup and analyze their performances, Coastal Union aim to maintain their winning form, while Kagera Sugar face the challenge of addressing defensive issues and generating more offensive momentum. 

Coastal Union’s next test against Singida Black Stars is expected to be another tough encounter, and Mwambusi is determined to see his side build on Tuesday’s victory.