Yanga, Azam out to close gap with Simba

DEFENDING champions Young Africans and Azam FC will be out to close the gap with Vodacom Premier League (VPL) leaders Simba, as they get into action at different venues this evening. The title rivals return to the league action after about two weeks break, in which they were involved in the CAF club championships and Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC).

In total, five matches will take place today, Yanga will be at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam hosting Kagera Sugar in search for three vital points, while Azam will travel to Mwanza to face Toto Africans at the CCM Kirumba Stadium. On 57 points, Simba are on the driver’s seat, seven points ahead of Yanga and Azam, who sit second and third respectively.

Both Yanga and Azam are tied on 50 points from 21 outings each. Both have three games in hand. Going into the match today, Yanga will be without their influential midfielder, Haruna Niyonzima, who is reportedly battling malaria.

However, that will not affect Hans Van der Pluijim charges, as midfield maestro, Thabani Kamusoko will likely partner Salum Telela at the park of the midfield. Partner strikers, Donald Ngoma and Amissi Tambwe are expected to lead the attacking line, with Simon Msuva and Deus Kaseke pushing from the wings.

Skipper, Nadir Haroub, who came in as a late substitute during a 2-1 win over Ndanda FC in Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC) at the National Stadium on Thursday, will also be available for selection after missing most part of the second round of the league due to injuries.

However, Kagera Sugar coach, Adolf Rishard has warned Yanga that they should brace for a tough challenge today.

“We will not be pushovers ... we have come here to fight for maximum points to put ourselves out of relegation threat,” he said. Kagera Sugar are currently placed 12th in the league standing on 25 points from 24 matches and a defeat today will complicate their position to remain in the top flight league next season. Both Yanga and Azam face their heaviest fixture load this month, which include league matches FA encounter as well as CAF club championship fixtures.

Yanga could play as many as seven league games this month and afterwards they will know whether they have qualified for the lucrative group stages of CAF Champions League or have dropped down to the CAF Confederations Cup. Azam face similar situation.

Other games lined up for today are Stand United playing against Mgambo JKT at Kambarage Stadium, Ndanda FC will be at the Nangwanda Sijaona Stadium facing Tanzania Prisons, who were both eliminated from the FA Cup quarter finals.

JKT Ruvu and African Sports who are both in the battle of escaping the relegation zone will face each other at the TFF Karume Complex.

Mtibwa Sugar yesterday came from behind to win 2-1 in their Vodacom Premier League (VPL) fixture against Mwadui FC at the Mwadui Complex in Shinyanga to uphold their fourth spot in the league standing. This victory saw the Morogoro based team bagging 45 points from 24 games, slightly putting them back into the title race.
Despite defeat Mwadui remained in the sixth position on 34 points from 25 matches.
As Mtibwa who went into the break 1-0 down came into the second half rejuvenated and got an equaliser few minutes from the start before scoring the winner. At the Sokoine Memorial Stadium in Mbeya, host Mbeya City recorded a resounding 4-0 victory over Tanga’s Coastal Union, who are struggling at the bottom of the league table.