RWAFA Football Club faced off against Wayzatta FC in a gripping tournament neutral match at the RG Ngala Stadium on 18 September 2024, kicking off at 1:00pm. In a tightly contested affair, RWAFA emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win, thanks to an early goal from Hassan Kirozo, securing their place in the next stage of the tournament.
RWAFA adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while providing ample support for their attacking players. The backline consisted of Mohammed Ghazal and Ali Koi as left and right defenders, respectively, with Yakini Mwazani and Hamidu Tabwara forming a robust central defensive partnership. In midfield, Mohammed Omar and Samuel Lemashon operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking play and providing defensive cover. The attacking trio included Hassan Zumo on the right, Hamisi Swaleh (Cheupe) on the left, and Hassan Kirozo in the central attacking role, with Bakari Chonga leading the line as the striker.
The substitutes for RWAFA included Masudi Bokoko, Abdulkarim Mwendo, Mwinyi Cheupe, and Hamisi Mwafedha, who would be called upon to make an impact as the match progressed.
The match got off to a sensational start for RWAFA, as they took the lead just two minutes in. A precise short pass from Hamisi Swaleh (Cheupe) found Hassan Kirozo inside the box, who finished expertly with his right foot from close range, sending the RWAFA supporters into raptures.
However, the early lead brought its own challenges, as RWAFA's Mohammed Ghazal received a yellow card in the 19th minute for a bad tackle, a decision that highlighted the match's intensity. As the first half progressed, RWAFA continued to defend resolutely, but Kirozo found himself in the referee's book as well, receiving a yellow card in the 37th minute for another foul, leaving RWAFA with concerns about discipline as they approached half-time.
The first half concluded with RWAFA leading 1-0, but the second half began with immediate changes due to injury. Just two minutes after the restart, Masudi Bokoko replaced Mohammed Omar, who had to leave the pitch due to injury. This was followed shortly by another substitution in the 50th minute, with Abdulkarim Mwendo coming on for Hamisi Swaleh (Cheupe), who also succumbed to injury.
RWAFA made a tactical switch in the 52nd minute, bringing on Mwinyi Cheupe for Bakari Chonga, as they looked to maintain their lead while managing their squad effectively. However, the match took a turn for the worse for RWAFA in the 62nd minute when Hassan Kirozo had to be substituted due to injury, with Hamisi Mwafedha stepping in to replace him.
As the match entered its closing stages, RWAFA's discipline was called into question once more. In the 88th minute, Mohammed Ghazal received a second yellow card, resulting in a red card that left RWAFA with ten men for the final moments of the match. Despite being a man down, RWAFA held firm against a late surge from Wayzatta, demonstrating resilience and determination to secure the victory.
Hassan Zumo was recognised for his outstanding performance, earning the title of Player of the Match for his contributions throughout the game. RWAFA Football Club's narrow win over Wayzatta FC not only showcased their attacking prowess but also their ability to withstand pressure, setting them up for future challenges in the tournament.
