Pluijm returns as Yanga host Mbao

DUTCH Coach Hans Van der Pluijm will return to the technical bench when defending Champions Young Africans continue the battle to retain the Vodacom Premier League title against Mbao FC at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam today.

Van der Pluijm was dramatically reinstated as Yanga head coach on Friday- five days after quitting his post and will be the centre of attraction when he resumes his duties as the holders seek to close the gap on leaders and arch-rivals Simba FC.

Pluijm resigned from his position on October 22 after the club started talks with Zesco United head coach George Lwandamina who jetted in Dar es Salaam last weekend, but his proposed move fell through.

The defending champions’ bid to catch up with the early pacesetters and main title contenders Simba have picked momentum in recent days with massive wins against Kagera Sugar, 6-2 and JKT Ruvu 4-0.

Pluijm was in charge as Yanga thrashed Kagera Sugar 6-2 last weekend but watched from the stands when the team whipped JKT Ruvu 4-0 last Wednesday, with his righthand man Juma Mwambusi taking charge of the team.

Yanga, who are currently second-placed with 24 points, eight points behind their traditional rivals and leaders Simba, will be favourite to outshine the league debutants, Mbao FC and cement their grip on second spot.

Meanwhile, reports from Zambia claimed yesterday that Lwandamina was offered US $18,000 monthly salary by Mainland giants Young Africans. Lwandamina appeared on Friday on the Zesco technical bench during a league match but was tight-lipped and refused to talk about his future.

It was learnt yesterday that the rich Tanzanian super division club has offered the former Chipolopolo coach a monthly salary of US $18,000 with other perks if he moved to Dar es Salaam in the near future.

It was not clear whether Lwandamina will serve the remainder of his contract at Zesco up to the end of the year or he will opt to leave immediately for Dar es Salaam. Zesco club management have warned Lwandamina he risked severe consequences should he breach the contract.

In a media statement on Tuesday, Zesco said Lwandamina has a three-year running contract which expires in January 2017 and the club had not entered into negotiations to have the contract extended.

“Zesco United would like to state that indeed if these media reports are true, Lwandamina will be in breach of contract with the club; we believe he is a professional and is expected to behave as such,” acting general secretary Richard Mulenga said.

Lwandamina refused to give his side of the story in a post-match interview yesterday and only commented on the performance of the team against Nkwazi.

Simba rout Mwadui to extend lead

 GIANTS Simba maintained their brilliant run this season with a resounding 3-0 win away to Mwadui, pulling eight points clear at the top of the Premier League yesterday.

Sensation midfielder Mohamed Ibrahim scored a stunning brace with wing wizard Shiza Kichuya notching the other as Joseph Omog’s demolition gang extended their gap at the top.

The win at the Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga saw the Reds go eight points clear ahead of their closest challengers and defending Young Africans, who can cut the gap back to five points with a win against Mbao FC today.

Simba have now won 10 games out of 12 in the top flight league this season, drawing the other two as they remain the only unbeaten side so far in this campaign. The victory served a perfect revenge for Simba, who suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to the Shinyanga-based outfit previously.

Simba were swiftly on the offensive after the first whistle and Burundian striker Laudit Mavugo fired a powerful shot off target in the opening minute. Mavugo was at the centre of most actions as Simba created a couple of good chances early.

The striker who scored one of Simba’s 3-0 goals against Toto Africans last time out, got into the box in the sixth minute, teased his marker before sending his shot narrowly wide.

A minute later he squandered another good chance before Mwadui responded with a good attack but Rashid Ismal blasted a shot wide from good position after 14 minutes. Unmarked Kichuya planted a header narrowly off target from Mavugo’s inviting cross in the 25th minute.

Ibrahim opened the scoring for Simba after producing a fine piece of skill. The talented midfielder received the ball on the edge of the box and made a clever turn to beat his marker before calmly slotting the ball past keeper Shaaban Kado.

Mwadui almost replied when Miraji Athumani unleashed a powerful shot that bounced on the bumpy pitch before hitting goalkeeper Vincent Agban on face, but defender Method Mwanjali was alert and cleared the danger.

Simba replaced Mavugo with Ame Ally after 40 minutes and Kichuya doubled his side’s advantage on the stroke of half time, finishing off a brilliant cross from Ibrahim. It was Kichuya’s eighth goal of the season, cementing his position as the league’s top scorer. Simba took a 2-0 lead to the breather. Ibrahim made it 3-0 with a coolly finish five minutes into the second half after a good work by Ally down the right flank.

With two goals in the bag, Simba comfortably dominated the rest of the half without too much exertion. Meanwhile, Toto Africans came from behind to beat Mtibwa Sugar 3-2 at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza, reports Alexander Sanga.

Kelvin Friday shot Mtibwa Sugar to the front after eleven minutes, but Waziri Junior levelled the score four minutes later before Friday restored his side’s lead in the 37th minute.

Hamim Abdul pulled Toto level in the 65th minute and Omega Seme fired home the winning goal with ten minutes to go to help stuttering Toto Africans secure their third victory of the season.

Toto have now collected 11 points from 13 outings. Elsewhere, Raphael Daud scored a brace and Ditram Nchimbi notched one as hosts Mbeya City registered a 3-2 win over Majimaji at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya yesterday. With the win, Mbeya City reached 16 points from 13 games.

Four in trouble over illicit armadillo shells

 FOUR people including three Burundi nationals have been apprehended by police in Morogoro Region after being found in possession of 67 bags of rare armadillo pangolin shells (kakakuona) worth more than 1.4bn/-, which were about to be exported.

Morogoro Regional Police Commander (RPC), Ulrich Matei, said the suspects were arrested just before midnight on October 28, at Reli Street, Kichangani ward in the municipality, in a warehouse with grinding mill machines.

He said they received a tip-off from community members in the area regarding the activities of the suspects in the area. They apprehended four suspects and also found the bags some of which were ready for export.

The RPC mentioned the Burundi nationals as Kibonese Golagoza (35), Nuru Athuman (32) and Benjamin Gregory Luvunduka (41), who are also residents of Morogoro. A Tanzanian national, Shukuru Mwakalebela (25), who lives at Stesheni in the region, was also nabbed.

According to Commander Matei, the suspects preserved the armadillo shells in 50kg bags and then packed them in 100 kg parcels that also contained beans. The RPC said three of the four suspects who are citizens of Burundi were also facing charges of entering the country without permission.

He said that all the suspects were undergoing interrogation and prosecution was expected to follow. However, RPC Matei said it was too early to talk about specific areas of the country where the animals were killed since the matter was still under investigation.

Armadillos are new world placental mammals with a leathery armour shell. The Chlamyphoridae and Dasypodidae are the only surviving families in the order Cingulata, part of the superorder Xenarthra, along with the anteaters and sloths.

The word armadillo means "little armoured one" in Spanish. Morogoro Natural Resources Officer, Mr Joseph Chuwa, said that one armadillo on average can have 60 to 100 shells that means the suspects in question killed 670 of them for the illegal business.

Mr Chuwa said the illegal business has been conducted in East and Central African countries in which its large market was in Asian countries.

Urafiki Textile Mill poised for revival

 THE Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Industries and Trade, Dr Adelhelm Meru, has welcomed China to participate in the revitalisation of factories in the country. He says that the Chinese are instrumental in fostering the country’s economy.

The PS was speaking during the 50th anniversary Exhibition of ‘Urafiki’ Friendship Textile Mill (FTM) and 20th anniversary of Tanzania-China Friendship Textile Company (FTC), held over the weekend in Dar es Salaam.

The anniversary was also attended by China’s Party Secretary of Changzhou Municipal Committee, Mr Yan Li. Dr Meru welcomed the Changzhou initiative to visit the textile company as the country is now entering a new phase of industrialisation under the fifth phase government. "Let me say that the revitalisation of factories like FTC are very instrumental towards fostering the country's economic development.

The upshot is achieving total industrialisation, which Tanzania desires," said the PS. He further said that despite the FTC facing many challenges, Tanzanian government is quite certain that the two countries will do all they can to ensure that Urafiki remains strong.

"We as a government will ensure that Urafiki will always survive," he stressed. He called upon the injection of funds to ensure that the factory has a reliable working capital.

"We hope that the presence of the Party Secretary here at the anniversary will assist in ensuring that the factory can raise some funds to be able to move forward strongly," he said.

On his part, Mr Yan Li, who is in the country to further strengthen the existing bilateral cooperation between Tanzania and China, pledged to rigorously implement her country's policies for Africa.

Mr Li, who also spoke during the 50th anniversary Exhibition of ‘Urafiki’ Friendship Textile Mill (FTM) and the 20th anniversary of Tanzania-China Friendship Textile Company (FTC), said that the two are the vivid embodiment of older-generation Chinese leaders' care and support to Tanzania and the fruit of cooperation between the two governments and their people.

Tanzania-China Friendship Textile Company evolves from the two countries' Friendship Textile factory, a China-sponsored project in Tanzania. It is a joint venture company between Changzhou State owned Textile Assets Operation Company of China and the government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

“This project has far-reaching political, diplomatic and economic significance against the backdrop of booming bilateral ties between China and Tanzania. “It is very meaningful to review the history of China sponsored Tanzania-China friendship textile project and to recall great contributions our older generation leaders made to Sino- Africa relations,” said the Party Secretary.

“We will rigorously carry out China’s policies for Africa, show our sincerity and integrity, enhance our mutual understanding and cooperation,” he stressed. He also commended the textile craftsmen from Changzhou for 20 years of dedicated service to both nations despite the odds.

“For the past 20 years, you have fought against immense pressure, overcome unimaginable hardships and persisted against all odds.” “On the other hand, you have also helped develop Tanzania, develop its textile industry and improve employment and living conditions for Tanzanians.

“Textile experts are regarded as role models of the friendship and cooperation between China and Tanzania,” the Secretary said. In 2010, Changzhou and Dar es Salaam established a sistercity relationship, with Tanzania- China Friendship Textile Co. Limited as a bridge between them.

The secretary also said that the visit with his delegation is meant to boost political, economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two cities. “Today we are here to conduct exchanges and deepen friendship. And I believe that through our efforts, we are sure to renew and further our cooperation,” he said.

In another development, the Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Mr Gou Haodong, reminded Tanzanians at the anniversary that Urafiki factory is a biological child of the two great nations; Tanzania and China.

He said that TAZARA and Urafiki were both great monuments but the latter was born earlier than the former. “Therefore, we cannot let this treasure just fade away. Urafiki must be revived and revitalised,” he stressed.

The envoy further said that: “We have every reason to say that we are much better today in terms of technology and capital investments. But what we need is strong commitment.”

JPM pushes for war on poachers

PRESIDENT John Magufuli yesterday ordered the arrest of all poachers and other suspects who are connected with the illegal business regardless of their positions and seniority.

According to a statement released by the Director of State House Communications, Mr Gerson Msigwa, the president was speaking during an impromptu visit to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

During his visit, Dr Magufuli was shown 50 elephant tusks and motor vehicles which were seized between Friday and yesterday in Dar es Salaam. The tusks were impounded by the ministry’s anti- poaching special unit.

The task force was formed to conduct operations against poaching in the country. At least eight suspects have been arrested for allegedly being involved in illegal businesses and poaching.

“President Magufuli was shown 50 tusks and motor vehicles which were seized between Friday and yesterday. The anti-poaching unit also has arrested eight poaching suspects,” reads part of the statement.

The head of state was accompanied by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary (PS), Major General Gaudence Milanzi. According to the statement, President Magufuli commended the officers who form the anti-poaching unit for being in the frontline in fighting the vice in the country. He also applauded the public for sharing useful information with the officers who are conducting operations against poachers.

The head of state encouraged the officers to continue fighting poachers and protect the country’s natural resources including animals. He said his government recognises and supports their efforts. “I would like to commend you for this wonderful job you are doing.

I would also like to assure you of my support and encourage you to continue working hard. Make sure you arrest everyone who is involved in this illegal practice regardless of his title, position, religion or his/her age,” said Dr Magufuli.

He added: “We must reach the point where people flee when they meet elephants instead of killing them. We must protect these animals, which are being brutally killed. Let the law take its course,” he said.

He said 50 tusks means 25 elephants have been gunned down and that the government will not tolerate such atrocities. “You have seized 50 elephant tusks, this means 25 elephants have been killed, we cannot allow this to continue.

A few people are doing this for their own interests,” he said.

In June, Tanzania emerged at the epicentre of Africa’s elephant poaching crisis after the government census revealed it had lost 60 per cent of its elephants in just five years.

Tanzania’s elephant population is one of the continent’s largest. But data released by government last year showed that between 2009 and 2014 the number dropped from 109,051 to 43,330.

Bruno Mars You Jacked Our Jam ... Now We're Gonna Funk You Up!!!

Bruno Mars' monster hit "Uptown Funk"  is a thinly-veiled replica of a groovy tune back in the day ... and now the OG band is out for blood in court.
Mars and "Uptown Funk" producer Mark Ronson are among many names listed in a lawsuit filed by members from the music group, Collage.  The band released a single in 1983 called "Young Girls" and claim Bruno's Billboard #1 is a dead-on copy in rhythm, harmony, melody and structure.

It's interesting -- Collage claims  Ronson and Mars have been big fans of Minneapolis/1980s electro-funk soul ... of which Collage was a part, along with Prince and others. The suit claims there's reason to believe Ronson and Mars have heard and been influenced by "Young Girls."
The stakes are enormous.  "Uptown Funk" is Mars' biggest song to date ... selling more than 6.1 million copies.  It's the second-longest number-one hit single in Billboard history, and makes the label alone a reported $100k a week via streaming on Spotify.
Collage -- only has one living member -- but he's alive and kicking ... demanding a cut of the profits and a stop to "Uptown Funk."

Jose Fernandez Cocaine & Booze In System During Fatal Crash

Jose Fernandez had cocaine and alcohol in his blood last month when he was involved in a boat crash that killed his two friends, along with the famed pitcher.
Jose's BAC was .147, approaching twice the legal limit, according to the Miami-Dade Coroner's Office. Cocaine was detected in his system as well.
Fernandez's friends both had small amounts of alcohol in their system ... one also had cocaine.
TMZ broke the story ... Fernandez and friends partied at a local bar less than two hours before the fatal crash. The spot -- American Social Bar & Kitchen -- has a dock for boaters to pull up, get out and get served. 
It's still unclear who was driving the boat at the time of the crash.
Source:TMZ