Football
KweséESPN Reporter 6y

Late Tanzania double stuns troubled DR Congo

Tanzania struck twice inside the last 16 minutes as the Taifa Stars defeated troubled Democratic Republic of Congo 2-0 in an international friendly in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.

Mbwana Samatta opened the scoring in the 74th minute before Yahya Shiza Ramadhani added a second two minutes from time as the East Africans picked up an unexpected win to ease the pressure on coach Salum Mayanga.

Samatta is no stranger to Congolese supporters having spent four years at domestic giants Tout Puissant Mazembe, winning both the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup.

Tanzania were defeated 4-1 by Algeria on Thursday, but overcame several injuries to secure a big win ahead of the resumption of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September.

Aishi Manula and Abdulaziz Makame were both ruled out through injury.

For the Congolese, defeat concluded a frustrating international break in which four players quit camp due to poor organisation on the part of the national federation.

According to Reuters, West Ham United's Arthur Masuaku, Paul-Jose Mpoku of Standard Liege, Jordan Ikoko from En Avant Guingamp and Gael Kakuta of Amiens all walked out of the team base on Monday complaining of poor organisation.

Poor accommodation, flight delays and sub-standard training facilities were the reasons behind their unhappiness, although FECOFA have vowed to improve arrangements for their upcoming fixtures.

The Leopards are currently ranked 39th in the world, with Tanzania 146th.

The Central Africans have been pitted against Zimbabwe, Liberia and neighbours Congo-Brazzaville in their AFCON qualifying group, while Tanzania will square off against Uganda, Lesotho and Cape Verde on the road to Russia.

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