Tanzania are through to the quarterfinals of the Cosafa Castle Cup competition despite a strained 1-1 draw over Mauritius in a Group A tie played on Thursday 29 June 2017 at the Moruleng Stadium.

Mauritius scored first, and despite being disturbed all through the game by a sturdy and defensive Tanzania, their lead was cancelled in less than 60 seconds as Saimon Msuva equalised to put Taifa Stars back into contention.

Kevin Perticots was the man who scored the opener in the 67th minute, a goal Mauritius should have topped up on in the 75th and 90th minutes.

Tanzania was dominant for a better part of the first half till the tempo of the game slowed down from the 35th minute on .

At the stroke of half time, Thomas Ulimwengu’s effort from the right crisped off the side netting and out of play.

Tanzania kicked off the second half with urgency and got a corner within seconds of the restart. But Mauritius kept the corner and all Taifa Stars runs for goal for a better part of this half.

Nine minutes in after the restart, Maurituis went for goal but they were stopped at the edge of the box by the impressive Erasto Nyoni.

Their best chance and greatest near miss to extend the lead for Mauritius came a minute after the hour mark when Tanzania keeper Asha Manjla parried off a diving header from close range. So close to a leveler it was, but Mauritius were left to console themselves with a corner kick that Tanzania’s defense neutralized with ease.

Dangerous Thomas Ulimwengu made one of his traditional turns, this time from 40 yards out, and set a pile-drive goal ward but it just weaved off the far post.

Mauritius were left one man down after Damien Balisson was sent off as Taifa Stars tries to push for a winner.

A floated cross from the right from substitute Ramadhani at the stroke of full time was headed goal ward but Mauritius ’s keeper was agile enough to keep it out in what turned out to be the last action of the game.

With five points, Tanzania consolidates their lead at the top of Group A from three games.Angola are second separated on goal difference with the leaders.

Tanzania who are guests in this years tournament,now meet defending champions South Africa in the quarter-final match that will be played on Sunday