Tanzania head Coach Charles Mkwassa has admitted to making a costly tactical move when his side was 2-0 up against Algeria in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier on Saturday 14 at the Nationl Stadium, Dar Es Salaam.

Two goals from Elias Maguli and Mbwana Samatta in both halves gifted Taifa Stars an unprecedented lead over the North Africans who are among the top ranked teams in Africa, but they couldn’t enjoy it for long as Slamini Islam scored a double in a span of six minutes in the advanced stages of the game to restore order for the desert foxes.

“We made blunder in our substitutions when we were leading and it costed us, but that’s football,” Mkwassa told @Soka_Tanzania.

Mkwassa made a double substitution in the 65th minute pulling out a more defensive minded Said Ndemla for Mudathir Yahya and Maguli the goal scorer for Azam FC striker Mrisho Ngassa a move which appeared to weaken his back line giving the visitors an edge in attack – and it worked against them as they eventually crumbled under pressure to allow Salamin chance to score in the 71st and 77th minutes respectively.

He however believes his side still stands a chance of progression to the group stage of qualifiers when they travel to Algeria for the second leg four days later.

“It is going to be very very tough for us in Algeria, but they made it here, we can also make it in their own backyard. “ Mkwassa added.

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com