Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) hockey team triumphed 1-0 over El Hilal of Tanga to clinch the Sparta Hockey Trophy at the Lugalo Barracks ground in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.
The two-day event that brought together four local teams, including Dar Institute and Tanzania Hockey Ladies (THL), was a dress rehearsal for forthcoming international events, including the Phoenix Hockey Tournament to be held in Tanga next month.
Elias Samala was the man who turned the match around with his stunning second half goal that decided the thrilling encounter. The prolific player also emerged the overall top scorer with five goals.
Samala scored his first goal in a 1-0 win against Dar Institute, before winning a hat-trick in a 5-1 victory over Tanzania Hockey Ladies. Other players who silenced THL were Abdallah Katundu and Juma Waziri while Nura Pascal netted the consolation goal for the ladies.
El Hilal started the tournament on a sound note wallop THL 4-0 in the opening game with the goals coming from Nuru Hassan (2), Ima Owino and Grujnnd Singh. They later beat Dar Institute 2-0. Hassan and Jithin Vaja scored one each.
Dar Institute thrashed THL of 3-0 with goal from Olav Dmello, Anthony Fernandez and Osman Bairu. The newly formed THL finished without a point Dar es Salaam Regional Hockey Association (DRHA) secretary Mnonda Magani believes the team has a bright future.
“We want our team to be ready and offer stiff challenges in international competitions,” he said. He thanks all participating teams and is optimist that they will learn from mistake committed during the tournament and come back strongly.
By MBONILE BURTON, Tanzania Daily News