Mbeya City, Prisons in FA Cup derby clash

MBEYA soccer fans have yet another chance of witnessing a second derby, when Tanzania Prisons and Mbeya City clash for the quarter finals ticket of the Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC), at the Sokoine Memorial Stadium today.

This will be one of several matches of the knock out tournament lined up for today. The two sides met earlier this year at the same venue in the Vodacom Premier League (VPL), fixture second round whereby the match ended in barren draw.

In the first round encounter last September, Prisons won 1-0, meaning today’s match will be another chance for Mbeya City to seek for revenge.

Prisons who in their previous VPL match denied Azam FC a chance to retake the league top seat will be target for a win so as to earn their tickets in ASFC quarter finals joining, Yanga who where the first team to cruise into the stage following their 2-1 victory over JKT Mlale at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

But the game is not going to be easy for both sides as Mbeya City under tutelage of Malawi tactician, Kinnah Phiri, will be looking at ending their losing streak.

The city council side might miss the services of defender, Sued Tumba, who picked an injured during the team’s training session in readiness for the match.

Apart from the Mbeya derby, another FA Cup match lined up for today is that which pit Mwadui FC against Rhino Rangers at the Mwadui Complex in Shinyanga.

The tournament fixture will continue tomorrow, when Simba SC welcome Singida United at the National Stadium, Panone FC will be facing Azam FC at the Ushirika Stadium in Moshi, while Toto Africans will take on Geita Gold at the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.

In preparation for the match Toto African head coach, Dominik Glawogger said his side target the last eight spot and that they are ready to take on their opponents. However, he predicted a tough encounter.