Zanzibar Heroes have defeated Kenya 1-0 to qualify for the final at the on-going Mapinduzi Cup 2025 in Pemba, Zanzibar.

The Heroes netted a late goal off a corner that Ali Khatib nodded in four minutes into added time at the Gombani Stadium on Friday night.

Moses Shumah had earlier missed a scoring opportunity for Kenya, while skipper Feisal Salum ‘Toto’ also had his effort blocked by the Harambee Stars goalkeeper.

Kenya’s Aboud Omar was shown a straight red card following an altercation with the referee after 70th minute. Zanzibar also had a player sent off later in the match. Zanzibar who finished second will now face Burkina Faso who topped the round robin log.

“We are happy that we managed to get a win against a strong Kenyan side. Now we shall focus on preparing for the final match against Burkina Faso on January 13th,” said Zanzibar’s captain Salum.

Zanzibar Heroes beat Tanzania 1-0 in the opening match of the tournament and lost by the same margin to Burkina Faso in the second match.

Table standing

                          P   W   D    L   GF  GA GD Pts

Burkina Faso   3    2    1     0     4     1     3     7

Zanzibar          3    2    0     1      2     1     1    6

Kenya              3    1    1     1     3     2     1     4

Tanzania          3     0    0     3    0    5    -5     0

Kenya’s Harambee Stars have defeated Tanzania 2-0 in their second match at Mapinduzi Cup 2025 on-going in Pemba, Zanzibar.

After a goalless first half Boniface Muchiri gave Kenya the lead after 55 minutes at the Gombani Stadium on Tuesday night. He capitalized on a Daniel Sakar cross to give Kenya the lead.

Ryan Ogam increased Kenya’s lead 12 minutes later as interim coach Francis Kimanzi’s team continued to push forward.

Tanzania had a chance to pull a goal back, but Offen Chikola with only goalkeeper to beat the Harambee Stars goalkeeper.

“I am glad that my squad was boosted with Gor Mahia players and we need to prepare for the match against Zanzibar on Friday,” said Kimanzi.

Kenya now lead the log with 4 points and a better goal difference that Burkina Faso who have the same number of point. Burkina Faso who drew 1-1 with Kenya in the opening match defeated Zanzibar Heroes 1-0 in a match played on Monday.

Table standing

                         P   W   D    L   GF  GA GD Pts

Kenya               2    1    1    0     3     1     2     4

Burkina Faso   2    1    1     0     2     1     1    4

Zanzibar          2    1    0     1     1     1     0     3

Tanzania         2     0    0    2     0     3    -3     0

The Harambee Stars of Kenya have settled for a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the Mapinduzi Cup 2025 on-going in Pemba, Zanzibar.

Coach Francis Kimanzi’s team were minutes away from registering a win before Burkina Faso scored late to force the match into a draw at the Gombai Stadium on Saturday night.

After several missed chances in-front of goal James Kinyanjui gave Harambee Stars the lead after firing in a rebound.

The KCB FC striker made no mistake latching onto a well taken Boniface Muchiri free kick that the Burkinabe goalkeeper parried back into play. Kinyanjui fired the rebound into the net four minutes into added trime before the interval.

In the second half Burkina Faso made some changes and created some descent scoring chances, but failed to convert. However, as the match was about to end Aboubacar Traore leveled matters for Burkina Faso after 90 minutes.

In the opening match played on Fridat Zibzibar Heroes sdefeated Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars 1-0 with Fei Toto scoring the lone goal.

The Kilimanjaro Stars will be raging for redemption following their 1-0 loss to the hosts in the opener on Friday.

Skipper Feisal Salum ‘Fei Toto’ scored the only goal in the 51st minute, capitalising on a lapse in concentration in their peer’s defence to slot home.

Action returns on January 6^th, 2025 as Burkina Faso face Zanzibar Heroes.

The tournament which will climax on January 10^th, 2025 and played to celebrate the anniversary of the revolution of Zanzibar is organized by the government of Zanzibar and Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF).

Table standing

                          P   W   D    L   GF  GA GD Pts

Zanzibar          1    1    0     0     1     0     1     3

Burkina Faso   1    0    1     0     1     1     0     1

Kenya               1     0    1    0     1     1     0     1

Tanzania          1     0    0    1     0     1    -1    0

Zanzibar Premier League side, Mlandege FC have retained the Mapinduzi Cup.

Coach Jaala Abdallah Salim’s side rose to the occasion to outclass Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC 1-0 in the final played at the refurbished Amaan Stadium on Saturday evening.

Going into the final Mlandege had seen off Rwanda’s APR FC, while Simba SC ejected Singinda Fountain Gate FC at the semi final stage.

Ugandan player Joseph Akandwanaho who joined Mlandege FC few days ago netted the lone goal after 54 minutes when he turned defenders inside out and slotting the ball past the Simba SC goalkeeper.

Simba SC tried to fight back strongly to level matters, but the Zanzibar team cheered on by the home fans stood firm till the final whistle. It was all celebrations at the end of the match which was also witnessed by the Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi.

The winners who finished the tournament unbeaten received a cash prize of Tanzania shillings 100 million, while Simba SC who are also in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League bagged Tanzania Shillings 70 million.

The Mapinduzi Cup is an annual tournament organised by the government of Zanzibar together with the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF). The 2024 Mapinduzi Cup attracted teams from Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi.