Zanzibar came from behind to beat neighbours Tanzania 2-1 in a hotly contested match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Thursday.

Zanzibar had the better start of the two teams, set the pace, kept Tanzania at bay and created one chance after another.

It started in the 5th minute, when Mohammed Issa The ball was passed to him just outside the 16-yard box, but even though he had enough time, he shot it over the crossbar.

Things seemed to go from bad to worse for the team from mainland Tanzania as they were forced to make an early substitution. Kelvin Yondani Give Boniphace Maganga an opportunity to play in the left back position.

But it was the Islanders who continued to push for the first goal and in the 15th minute they almost did it. Issa played a good cross into the danger zone, Ibrahim Hamad missed the ball by centimeters.

Five minutes later, the striker had the best chance, but he missed the goal as the goalkeeper Aishi Manula stopped him.

Contrary to the course of the game, the Kilimanjaro Stars took the lead thanks to Himidi Mao; the opposition allowed a one-two just outside the box and the captain was pushed in. He only needed one chance to give his team the lead and he never disappointed when it came his way.

The hosts continued to push for a second goal, which caused the visitors to commit fouls in promising positions, but the defenders did their job perfectly and ensured that the score remained the same.

Zanzibar never gave up, they did absolutely everything to get into the danger zone of the ‘Kili’ Stars, and in the 66th minute their efforts were rewarded, the ball was played and the substitute Kassim Suleiman chased him down, outwitted his marker and then fired an unstoppable shot past the goalkeeper to equalise.

About ten minutes before the end, the Islanders took the lead for the first time; Salim Selemanicommonly referred to as Seleembeleft the defender standing on the right wing before Ibrahim Hamadwho shot into the empty net and gave his team the upper hand, Tanzania could not save a point even in the five periods of extra time.

Zanzibar are now top of Group A with the highest number of points after their 3-1 win against Rwanda.

Tanzania starting eleven: 1. Aishi Manula, 2. Erasto Nyoni, 3. Gadiel Michael, 4. Kennedy Juma, 5. Kelvin Yondani, 6. Abdallah Hamis, 7. Shiza Kichuya, 8 Himid Mao, 9. Elias Maguri, 10. Daniel Lyanga and 11. Mzamiru Yassin.

Submarines: 1. Peter Manyika, 2. Boniphace Maganga, 3. Mohammed Hussein, 4. Jonas Mkude, 5. Raphael Daud, 6. Ibrahim Ajib, 7. Abdul Hassan, 8. Yahya Zaydi, 9. Yohana Mkomola and 10. Mbaraka Yussuf .

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Zanzibar squad: Mohamed Abrahman, Ibrahim Mohamed, Haji Mwinyi Ngwali, Abdulla Kheri, Issa Haidar Dau, Abdul Azizi Makame, Mohamed Issa, Mudathir Yahya, Ibrahim Hamad Hilika, Feisal Salum and Hamad Mshamata,

Reserves: Ahmed Ali, Ibrahim Abdallah, Adeyum Saleh, Abdullah Haji, Seif Rashid (Karihe), Kassim Suleiman, Suleiman Kassim, Khamis Mussa, Amour Suleiman and Abdul Swamad Kassim.