It’s epic showdown in three arenas today

THE seventeenth round of the Premier League rages on today when three mouth-watering fixtures face six teams hunting for maximum points.

At Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, defending champions Young Africans seek to create a 7-point lead at the top of the summit against Coastal Union of Tanga.

Currently, Yanga lead the title chase with 41 points from 16-game onslaught and a win today can drive them to 44 points; thereby continue to dominate the championship race as the season gets to a half way.

They approach the match with heads up after stamping a 3-0 win over the bottom-placed Polisi Tanzania at the same venue in their past assignment, hence all eyes are on them to see how they deal with Coastal Union.

For the Tanga-based side, the going seems to be tough after managing four victories in their past 16 fixtures to generate 15 points and they are placed 13th, just a few positions from the relegation zone.

In their previous game, they lost 1-0 to KMC at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam hence they will be looking to shrug off the painful loss by producing a good performance which in the end will guarantee them a better place.

Elsewhere today, Ruvu Shooting take on Mtibwa Sugar at Uhuru Stadium in the city for yet another entertaining fixture as both sides battle for vital points.

After suffering a 2-0 loss in their past game, Ruvu Shooting under the tutelage of Mbwana Makata are searching for a way out of the danger zone as water levels rise high for them no wonder, they are placed 15th on the table with 11 points.

On the other hand, Mtibwa Sugar are fifth-placed on the ladder with 23 points and they can keep climbing up the table if they win today.

They forced a 1-1 draw with Namungo at Manungu Complex in Morogoro in their previous match to share spoils hence they are eager to regroup and generate a vital win at the end of the 90 minutes.

Another standing fixture unfolds at Majaliwa Stadium in Lindi where Namungo welcome Ihefu with each seeking three points at the sound of the final whistle.

The Mbarali based club eclipsed Ruvu Shooting 2-0 at Azam Complex in their previous encounter as they look to have recharged the battery, and they are leaving no stone unturned.

Ihefu occupy the 14th slot on the table with 14 points, hence a win in their today’s encounter will take them to 17 points and climb up the staircase to escape relegation threat.