The Mbeya team managed a barren draw with Coast Region’s JKT Ruvu at the latter’s venue, Mabatini ground, on Wednesday. Prisons have thus failed to record victory in two games in a row, as they also managed the same score line against Kagera Sugar on October 2.
Prisons, as it was the case for JKT Ruvu, had several opportunities to score in either half of the largely end to end encounter, only to be let down by profligacy of the team’s strikers.
“Both teams played well but we had three good opportunities to score but we failed to make the most of them, I think that is my team’s flaw…lack of concentration in finishing is our biggest problem and I’m dealing with it,” he disclosed, insisting the team could have been in a better position had it improved its striking force.
“The point we have got from the game has left us in either the eighth or ninth spot in the standing and, for that matter, I’m not impressed with the team’s progress.”
“I think the team’s leaders have seen the displays and its weaknesses, if the officials will work on my request to recruit at least three strikers, I think we can perform well in the second half of teh seson,” Mingange added.
He also bemoaned the exit of several dependable players from the team. The players include midfielders, Fred Chudu and Juma Seif.
“Seif was an important performer in our team and Chudu was a very good midfielder. Mohamed Samata, though, has managed to replace Chudu in the midfield…there are new players in the defensive midfield and it isn’t easy for them to forge better coordination given we have played eight games” the tactician said.
He also said Prisons will have to do without the team’s dependable goal getter, Jeremiah Juma, for the next few games as the latter has to regain full fitness after having sustained injury in the match against Mbeya City.
“I, as well, took the team a bit late, I began coaching the team on July 25, therefore I had 21 days before the start of the league, I didn’t get much time for training and friendly matches for the team but if the leaders will exercise patience, I think we can perform very well in the second phase if we will also recruit either two or three players,”.
Prisons wasted one of their good opportunities to score which came midway through the first half, when one of the team’s strikers controlled the ball inside JKT Ruvu penalty area but then attempted a weak left footer that was easily saved by Ruvu keeper, Said Kipao.
JKT Ruvu also managed to press during the closing stages of the first half but Prisons’ defence stood firm and foiled the former’s moves.
JKT Ruvu’s reliable goal getter, Samwel Kamuntu, who managed to pose threat to opposing teams’ defences in the past two matches, was below par in the Wednesday game and was eventually substituted later in the second half.
Prisons, on the one hand, have now been positioned 10th in the 16-team league with 10 points from eight games, registering wins in two, managing draw in four and losing the rest.
JKT Ruvu, on the other hand are still in precarious position following the draw with Prisons, as the former are in the 13th position with eight points from as many games. They have won one, managed draw in five and lost the remaining matches.
JKT Ruvu are next expected to host Shinyanga’s Mwadui FC at the same venue on Saturday in a game the hosts need to win if they are to allay fears of plunging into the relegation zone.
Prisons will then be away to Mtibwa Sugar at Manungu Complex in Morogoro the same day, with the visitors also needing a win to push up the league’s standing.
Meanwhile, newly-promoted Mbao FC cruised to a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Toto Africa in the Mwanza derby played at the CCM Kirumba Stadium during the midweek fixtures.
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