Singida Black Stars seized control of their CAF Confederation Cup tie with a convincing 3-0 victory over Al Ghazal FC on Sunday, 13 September 2026. The Tanzanian club produced a polished home display, scoring in each phase of the match to build a healthy first-leg lead and leave the South Sudanese visitors with a difficult return fixture ahead.

Match overview

From the first whistle, Singida Black Stars set the tempo. The home side pressed high, won second balls in midfield and repeatedly attacked down the flanks. Al Ghazal FC sat deep in a compact 4-4-2 block, hoping to frustrate their hosts and spring counterattacks, but they struggled to keep possession for long enough to relieve pressure.

The opening goal arrived inside 12 minutes, and it settled any early nerves. A flowing move down the right ended with a low cross into the penalty area, where Ibrahim Rajabu guided the ball past the goalkeeper. Singida continued to dominate, and their advantage doubled seven minutes before half-time when Lameck Bocco headed home from a corner.

Key moments

• 12' – Singida Black Stars 1-0: Ibrahim Rajabu finished a crisp team move from close range after a dangerous right-wing cross.
• 38' – Singida Black Stars 2-0: Lameck Bocco rose highest at the near post to convert a corner, rewarding the home side's set-piece pressure.
• 57' – Al Ghazal's best chance: The visitors broke quickly, but their forward dragged a low effort wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
• 78' – Singida Black Stars 3-0: Erick Kessy sealed the win with a composed finish after being played through by a clever midfield pass.

Tactical story

Singida's 4-2-3-1 shape gave them numerical superiority in central areas, and their full-backs pushed high to pin Al Ghazal back. The midfield duo screened the defence well, allowing the attacking line to rotate freely. Al Ghazal's defensive resilience lasted only until the first goal; after that, the South Sudanese side were forced to chase the game, which opened gaps for Singida to exploit.

The most impressive aspect of Singida's performance was their control without the ball. They limited Al Ghazal to a handful of counterattacking opportunities and rarely looked troubled at the back. When the visitors did venture forward, the home defence stepped up decisively and won the ball back quickly.

Standout players

Ibrahim Rajabu was a constant threat, combining sharp movement with neat link-up play. Lameck Bocco dominated in the air and gave Singida a reliable set-piece target. In midfield, the captain's calm distribution kept the team ticking, while the goalkeeper made one important save to preserve the clean sheet.

For Al Ghazal FC, the goalkeeper was the busiest player on the pitch, making several saves to prevent a heavier defeat. The centre-back pairing also produced a few timely blocks, but they were ultimately overwhelmed by Singida's intensity.

What it means for the tie

Singida Black Stars will travel for the second leg with a three-goal cushion and one foot in the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup. Al Ghazal FC need a remarkable turnaround on home soil, but the tie is not mathematically over. Singida's challenge will be to manage the return leg professionally, avoid complacency and protect their aggregate advantage.

For the Tanzanian side, this result is also a confidence boost in continental competition. A clean sheet and three different scorers underline the depth and balance of the squad, while Al Ghazal must regroup quickly and find a way to create more clear-cut chances if they are to keep their campaign alive.