Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) 202 Brigade beat Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) 5 Division 5-4 on penalties after both sides settled for a 2-2 draw in a thrilling friendly match held at Ngoma Stadium on Saturday. The match was organized as part strengthening existing defense cooperation between the Rwanda and Tanzania through sports. The Tanzanian forces’ side started with a clear plan to defend as they sat deep in a compact 5- 4- 1 formation and allowed possession but leaving no space for the opponents to score while at the same time building their game counterattacks. The biggest opportunity came in the 23rd minute when RDF 5 Division’s Sudi Kamuzinzi overlapped down the right flank and squared the ball into the box area. Mashaga Changalane let the ball run between his legs and Bosco Iradukunda almost scored the opener when he outstripped Hamis Linolo but his angled drive was well saved by goalkeeper Mohamed Seif. TPDF 202 Brigade turned to open play as striker Julius Chiloletti struck a volley which unfortunately went wide in the 42nd minute to the relief of the home side. While both teams had decent opportunities in the opening half neither could convert their chances, hence headed for a half time break with a goalless draw. After recess, both teams started the second half pushing to capitalize their chances until Rhino Rangers (TPDF) burst into life in the 57th minute when Adam Kindemba broke the deadlock after lobbing a loose ball 15 yards in front of the goal. The playmaker took a touch before lashing a thunderbolt in the top corner to give the visitors the lead. RDF instantly equalized three minutes later through Eric Habimana who drove into the opponent's area after the TPDF defender lost the ball, he chipped the keeper who could do nothing only to see the ball roll into the back of the net. RDF doubled the lead in the 69th before TPDF leveled the scores again before referee blew the final whistle. Both teams had to be separated by penalty shootouts after which TPDF emerged victorious after beating RDF 5 Divion 5-4. After the Game, Col Justus Majyambere said that the aim of the friendly match was to strengthen the available relationship between RDF 5 DIV 1 forces in the Eastern Province with TPDF 202 Brigade which oversees seven provinces in Tanzania including Kagera which borders the Eastern region of Rwanda. “ The game is one of mutual relationships that has been existing between RDF 5 Div and TPDF 202 Brigade,” said Majyambere. Prior to the game, he said, RDF received the TODF delegations and discussed security including cross-border crime activities. “We met before but decided that we should have a friendly match in order to build the trust, cooperation, and unity between RDF and TPDF,” he noted. Meanwhile, RDF 5 Division will visit TDF 202 Brigade in a second leg match scheduled in February 2024 in either Tabora or Kagera, Tanzania. Before the game, the TPDF joined residents of Ngoma District and participated in the Umuganda community service.
