AFTER failing to secure promotion back to the Premier League for the second consecutive season, Biashara United's head coach Amani Josiah has highlighted failure to use the most of chances as a reason for the outfit's misery.

Biashara United conceded a 2-1 aggregate loss to Tabora United in this season's Premier League relegation/promotion playoff and eventually let the latter make certain of its participation in next season's top flight. 

The Musoma-based side lost 2-0 to Tabora United in the rematch at Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium in Tabora on Sunday evening after failing to convert chances created in the first half having enjoyed possession. 

Tabora United forward Patrick Lembo scored a brace via a first-half penalty kick and second-half volley to keep his side in the Premier League and end Biashara United's hopes for participation in top-flight football. 

Under the guidance of coach Bernard Fabiano, who catapulted Tabora United to top-flight promotion in the 2022/23 season, the Tabora team has held onto its spot in next season’s Premier League under the same coach after the club suspended Burundian head coach Masoud Djuma. 

Biashara United failed to build on their 1-0 victory in the first leg held in Musoma, as experienced goal-getter Herbert Lukindo scored the all-important goal through a spot kick in the ninth minute of the added-on time. 

Josiah said they needed only one game to stay in contention and finally punch their ticket for the top flight. 

"We controlled the majority of the game but failed to use our clear-cut chances that we created in moments we were supposed to kill off the game. I also think we deserved a penalty if the referee was close in action during the first half,” the gaffer remarked. 

He said: "I had to work hard with the technical bench to retain our players' mentality because they felt they were not benefiting from the referee calls." 

"Looking at Biashara United and Tabora United, both teams were level performance-wise. I would like to congratulate our opponents because once you lose you should applaud your opponents,” Josiah stated. 

“We are disappointed because we had a good season, and we deserved a promotion," Josiah noted. 

During the regular season, after a late stumble in the Championship League, Biashara missed a chance for Premier League automatic promotion out to Ken Gold FC and Pamba Jiji FC, finishing fourth in the Championship League final standing. 

They edged out Mbeya Kwanza FC in a two-leg promotion playoff affair to earn themselves direct entry into the Premier League relegation/promotion playoff. 

Biashara United thrashed Mbeya Kwanza FC 4-0 on aggregate, after winning 2-0 at the former’s home turf, Karume Stadium in Musoma, on May 19 and later replicating the same scoreline at Nangwanda Sijaona Stadium in Mtwara, where Mbeya Kwanza FC played home games, on May 26. 

During the just-ended Championship League that witnessed Ken Gold FC and Pamba Jiji FC garner automatic promotion to the top flight, Biashara United ended fourth with 62 points, having won 19 ties, secured draws in five clashes, and lost six. The club scored 60 goals and let in 21 goals. 

Third-placed Mbeya Kwanza FC finished with 65 points, having grabbed 20 wins, conceded five losses, and drawn five ties. The side scored 50 goals and let in 28 goals. 

The Mara squad had last season only lost once in 16 home fixtures, emerging victorious in five of the outfit's last 13 home league games. 

For that matter, Biashara United would have another challenge to keep Josiah - who had the outfit showing a good tactical display this season.