Matindi Girls Academy on Thursday hauled themselves out of the mire and sneaked into the quarter-finals of the Airtel Rising Star (ARS) Africa Championship.
They came from behind to hold neighbours Tanzania 1-1 at Legacy ground here in Lagos.
Matindi tied with the Tanzanians on four points, but finished third because of an inferior goal difference.
Nevertheless, the organisers confirmed Matindi’s qualification as they were among the two best third-placed teams.
Combative midfielder Rina Chipili was the testimony of Matindi’s unwillingness to let their quarter-final qualification dream die, but the hero of the afternoon was Phyllis Kagunda who struck the priceless goal with a sublime finish midway the second-half after Tanzania took a first-half lead through Shelder Boniface.
Relief was the prevalent emotion for Matindi coach Maggie Chombo-Sadiki after the final whistle and she hailed her charges for fighting every inch of the way.
“I should thank the girls for fighting their lungs out. Even when we were a goal down, they never gave up hope and there was tremendous team spirit that drove us to fight for an equaliser.
“Unlike Wednesday’s game against Sierra Leone, there was total commitment today and I am just happy that God did wonders for us and that we are in the quarter-finals,” said Chombo-Sadiki.
As we went to press, the determination on who Matindi will face in the quarter-finals, had not yet been made.
At National Stadium, Joyce Banda Foundation (JBF) held hosts Nigeria to a 0-0 draw to finish second in Group A and will face Niger, who finished top in Group B, today.
JBF and Nigeria tied on seven points, but the hosts claimed the top slot courtesy of their better goal difference and will face Group B runners-up Chad.
But JBF coach Robert Munthali had no kind words for Nigerian referee Ogunora Yope whom he accused of favouring the hosts.
“We were not amused at officiation because obviously the match officials wanted their team to win, but all the same, I am satisfied with the boys performance although I would have loved to win,” said Munthali.—Kutola chikwama ndi Airtel money.
