Nurdin Bakari came off from the bench to struck late for Taifa Stars in a 2-1 victory against Chad in the 2014 World Cup preliminary round tie played at the Stade Omnisports Idriss Mahamat Ouya in N’Djamena yesterday.
The crucial away win leaves Stars well placed to reach the group stages of the World Cup qualifiers.
Stars were the first to score when Mrisho Ngasa finished superbly a pass from Nizar Khalfan in the 11th minute.
But it took only a minute before the score sheet was 1-1 after Mahamat Labbo equalized for the hosts in the 12th minute.
Stars made changes later in the game with Bakari and Thomas Ulimwengu replacing Abdi Kassim and Mbwana Samata respectively.
The changes paid off after Stars took the lead again in the 82th minute when Bakari fired home the goal that turned out to be the winner following a pass from Ulimwengu.
The Jan Poulsen’s boys dominated possession in the dying minutes and Ngasa was close to increase the lead but he shot just wide.
The match was officiated by referee Bunmi Ogunkolade assisted by linesmen Tunde Abidoye and Abel Baba all from Nigeria while Hamid Haddadj from Algeria was the match commissioner.
Stars are expected to return home by Ethiopian Airlines tomorrow and go straight to the camp ready for the second leg match next Tuesday at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Taifa Stars starting line-up:
Juma Kaseja, Shomari Kapombe, Aggrey Morris, Juma Nyoso, Idrisa Rajab, Shabani Nditi, Henry Joseph, Abdi Kassim, Nizar Khalfan, Mrisho Ngassa and Mbwana Samata
