Mlandege beat Singida to win Mapinduzi Cup 2023

_{Zanzibar Premier League side, Mlandege FC are the winners of the Mapinduzi Cup 2023.}

_{Watched by the President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the home side shocked Singida Big Stars FC 2-0 in the final played on Friday night at the Amaan Stadium.}

_{Saite Bashima gave Mlandege FC the lead after 7 minutes after a defensive mix-up for the Tanzania Premier League side.}

_{Coach Hans Van Pluijm’s Singida Big Stars tried to push forward, but found a very disciplined Mlandege FC defending department. After 19 minutes Bashima turned provider setting up Abdulnassir Mohamed who made no mistake slotting a low shot past the Singida Big Stars goalkeeper.}

_{Few minutes to half time the Singida Big Stars’ players run towards the referee complaining that he should have awarded a penalty after a Mlandege FC player appeared to have handled the ball.}

_{After recess Singida Big Stars came back determined to try and find the goals. Yusuf Kagoma came close after 48 minutes for Singida Big Stars. But after 51 minutes Singida Big Stars pulled a goal back with a well timed header by Francy Kazadi.}

_{Mlandege FC absorbed a lot of pressure, but managed to hold on to win the match and lift the title for the first time.}

_{To reach the final Mlandege FC ejected Namungo FC 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Singida Big Stars saw-off Azam FC 4-1.}

_{The tournament attracted 12 teams including guest side Aigle Noir CS from Burundi. The Mapinduzi Cup is a competition which to mark th celebrations of the anniversary of the revolution of Zanzibar.}

_{Azam FC have won the Mapinduzi Cup a record five times (2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019), while Simba SC lifted the title in 2011, 2015 and 2022. Young Africans SC and  Mtibwa Sugar have each won the title twice, while Zanzibar sides Jamhuri FC, Polisi SC, KMKM SC, Mafunzo FC, Malindi FC, Miembeni FC and Ugandan sides KCC FC and URA FC have lifted the title once.}