MWANZA: AZAM produced a narrow 1-0 victory over Singida Fountain Gate to remain on the track in the Premier League title chase at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza yesterday.
A 52nd-minute strike by Kipre Junior was enough to reward the visitors with a hard-earned victory at the away venue to keep the Chamazi-based team active in the title race of the season.
He capitalised on a lack of concentration by Singida defenders to net a goal that cemented them to second slot on the table with 40 points from 18 games.
The ice cream makers are now three points adrift leaders Young Africans but the latter have two games in hand to play.
As it stands in the top five of the table, Yanga is at the summit with 43 points after 16 games, Azam second with 40 points from 18 duels, and Simba is third courtesy of 36 points after 15 matches.
Tanga envoys Coastal Union are fifth on the log after collecting 26 points in 17 assignments while KMC are fifth with 24 points after 18 games.
It was the first game for Singida Fountain Gate to play at CCM Kirumba Stadium following their relocation to Mwanza from Singida where they were using Liti Stadium.
In another premier league game at Nyankumbu Stadium in Geita, hosts Geita Gold and Kagera Sugar played out to a barren draw hence sharing one point apiece.
In early two matches yesterday, Tanzania Prisons secured a late 2-1 win over Tabora United to collect maximum points from their backyard Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.
Samson Mbangula netted the winning goal in the 87th minute to disappoint the Tabora-based side who took the early lead in the 17th minute of the clash through Eric Okutu.
Also, at Liti Stadium in Singida, hosts Ihefu were held to a 1-1 draw by Mashujaa in the former’s first league game to be hosted at their new home venue after transferring from Highland Estates Stadium in Mbarali, Mbeya.
Kenyan import striker Elvis Rupia put Ihefu upfront in the 11th minute forcing the Kigoma-origin club to crawl from behind and balance the scoreboard thanks to 73rd minute goal by Omary Omary.
