MAINLAND PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYOFF: Prisons face herculean task
MBEYA: THE final place in next season’s Mainland Premier League will be decided today when Polisi Tanzania take on Tanzania Prisons in the second leg of their promotion play-off at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.
Polisi Tanzania head into the decisive encounter with a commanding 4-0 aggregate advantage after winning the first leg in Moshi last weekend, leaving Tanzania Prisons with a daunting task if they are to overturn the deficit and retain hopes of top-flight football.
The aggregate winners will complete the 16-team Mainland Premier League line-up for the 2026/27 season, while the losers will compete in the Championship League.
Fifteen clubs have already secured their places in the top flight. They are Young Africans, Simba, Azam, Singida Black Stars, TRA United, JKT Tanzania, Coastal Union, Pamba Jiji, Dodoma Jiji, Namungo, Mashujaa, Mbeya City, Geita Gold and Kagera Sugar.
Despite holding a comfortable advantage, Polisi Tanzania head coach Mbwana Makata insisted his side would not take anything for granted.
“The job is not finished. There are still 90 minutes to play and we must remain disciplined and focused,” Makata said.
He said his players would stick to their attacking approach while remaining organised defensively to protect their lead.
“We will continue working to safeguard our advantage and, if the opportunity arises, score more goals. We respect Tanzania Prisons and know they are a strong side.”
Tanzania Prisons Assistant Coach Innocent Mwangonde said his team had not given up despite the heavy first-leg defeat.
“We still have another important match to play. We are going back home determined to fight until the final whistle,” he said.
Mwangonde expressed confidence that his side could produce a vastly improved performance, insisting the players remained motivated despite the uphill task of overturning the four-goal deficit.
The outcome of today’s match will determine the final club to join the Mainland Premier League next season and complete the 16-team field.
