FA Cup out to renew old rivalry

SIMBA SC making the brightest entry to the last eight stage and six other giants all qualified, the FA Cup once again promises a fierce battle for a diadem.

With the exception of Second Division side, Geita Gold Mine, all remaining seven clubs at the quarterfinal stage are topflight contenders, with bright performance in the ongoing Mainland Premier League.

Simba, who clobbered minnows Singida United 5-1 to send shivers to their final opponents as opposed to Azam, who made it through with a 2-1 win over little known Panone FC. Young Africans, another Dar es Salaam giant did not have an easy going over JKT Mlale, as they had to sweat to claim a 2-1 victory.

Coastal Union, defiant and diehard Tanga side are also a force to reckon with in the league. It has been established that the team is hard to beat at home ground and so are Tanzania Prisons, the completely changed side this season. But there are Ndanda FC and Mwadui who are unpredictable as they can do anything to any club when the situation favours them.

“The victory against Toto Africans at Kirumba Stadium proves that Geita Gold really deserve to play in the premiership,” said Selemani Matola, GGM coach and the former player and coach of Simba SC.

Matola, though coaching a new club, is among the very familiar figures that helped their team to proceed that far. Also belonged to the Simba camp is Jamhuri Kihwelo, who guided Mwadui FC to the quarters.

Under Kihwelo, Mwadui were the first to deny holders Young Africans all three points after forcing a barren draw with them in Shinyanga. Altogether, the team’s performance in the league is fairly good at 5th position, followed by Tanzania Prisons, another FA quarter finalist at 6th position.

The situation makes the going very tough for the teams claiming to be giants. Revitalized Simba under Ugandan coach, Jackson Mayanja won’t like to meet Coastal Union, the team that seems unbeatable at Mkwakwani home ground.

The team beat and eliminated Mtibwa Sugar at Mkwakwani Stadium in FA Cup, a week after beating giants Azam in the league encounter. The wonders with Coastal Union are plenty, but being the league’s third bottom-placed doesn’t make them underdogs in the championship.

It should be put into consideration that Simba’s coach left Coastal Union at relegation danger but did wonders with Msimbazi Street club by giving them a seven-match win record.

Speaking and commenting about the newly introduced tournaments, soccer fans and pundits have commended the tournament claiming it is ideal for today soccer system that tries to adhere to global standard.

“Players and teams play more tournaments, train better and labouriously the way professionals do,” said Jumanne Ally, a Dar es Salaam soccer fans.

However, as the fans wait for better and more challenging quarters and semis, the presence of live coverage from sponsors Azam, has also been commended.

“Live coverage has helped to boost the tournament as it draws more to their televisions compared to the past when similar entertainment was available only in the stadiums,” added Julius Nakiembetwa, a soccer fan in Singida.

With all giants lined up for the chase, the fever has once again gripped fans of the teams ahead of the quarterfinal matches.