Singida Big Stars created own downfall against Yanga- coach   

06May 2023
Michael Mwebe
DAR ES SALAAM
Sport
The Guardian
Singida Big Stars created own downfall against Yanga- coach   

SINGIDA Big Stars’ head coach Hans van der Pluijm said they contributed to their downfall after they were beaten by Yanga for the second time when the two sides took on each other in the 2022/23 NBC Premier League tie held in Singida on Thursday.

Yanga's Zambian attacker, Kennedy Musonda (R), dribbles past Singida Big Stars' midfielder, Yusuf Kagoma, when the two sides locked horns in a 2022/23 NBC Premier League match in Singida on May 4. Yanga defeated Singida Big Stars 2-0. PHOTO: COURTESY OF YANGA 

First-half goals netted by Burkinabe attacking midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki and promising striker Clement Mzize condemned Singida Big Stars to a 2-0 loss at Liti Stadium in an afternoon that witnessed the outfit seeming second best to Yanga.

Reacting to the poor performance, Pluijm said his Singida Big Stars team made it too easy for Yanga suggesting his players did not heed his tactical instructions in such a big game.

The Dutch disclosed: “Tactically, I think we did not play well in the first half. We didn’t play according to instructions and I said before the match, you can’t give away too much space, and the way we conceded the second goal. If you concede in a short time a goal like that, it breaks the morale.”

“You give the ball away, you can’t just make a mistake like that but it is happening in football, it has happened. We had to try to make some changes in the second half, there was a bit more spirit in the team but not the levels we expected,” the gaffer noted.

Asked how the poor performance can affect them in their rescheduled Azam Sports Federation Cup semi-final match against the same opponent, Pluijm said he does not think Yanga would have such an easier game again.

The coach pointed out: “In the Federation Cup semi-final, it will not be easier than this for Yanga. We had prepared very well for the league match, but the training is for the coaches  and the game is for the players." 

The Dutch stated: "It was too slow, not aggressive enough, we didn’t close fast enough and we gave too much space.”

Singida Big Stars are now under pressure to bounce back in their remaining three matches in the 2022/23 NBC Premier League in the battle for third place with Azam FC. They find themselves two points behind Azam FC.

Their next league assignment is away to relegation-threatened Kinondoni Municipal Council FC on May 12.

Their penultimate game of the season is also against a relegation candidate in Ruvu Shooting. They will sign off their campaign with a trip to Namungo FC on May 28.

Having been guaranteed a top-four finish in Premier League and making it to the last four of the Azam Sports Federation Cup, the ambitious debutants have already secured a continental ticket for next season. They will play in the CAF Confederation Cup. 

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