Mapinduzi tests three leagues giants

DAR ES SALAAM giants; Simba and Young Africans have been placed in separate groups as Mapinduzi Cup International tournament heads for a kick-off on January 1st, 2023 in Zanzibar.

Holders Simba are packed in group C together with Mlandege and KVZ while Yanga are placed in group B alongside Singida Big Stars and KMKM.

Group A comprises Azam, Malindi and Jamhuri whereas Namungo, Chipukizi and Aigle Noir from Burundi are in group D.

According to the fixture, the opening game is set on January 1st between Mlandege and KVZ while later on the same day, Malindi will lock horns with Jamhuri, both matches to be staged at Amaan Stadium.

On day two, Namungo will host Chipukizi before debutants Singida Big Stars go head to head with KMKM in a seemingly tough fixture.

Then on January 3rd, Azam will play Malindi while later, Simba will begin their title defence-campaign against Mlandege, a fixture likely to attract the attention of many football fans.

On January 4th, Chipukizi will take on Aigle Noir and later on the day, Yanga will launch their campaign against KMKM in another tense battle of the tournament.

A day later, Jamhuri will entertain Azam before KVZ hosting Simba in their last matches of group A and C respectively.

On January 6th, the final group stage fixtures will be played with Namungo hosting Aigle Noir before watching an all NBC Premier League clash between Yanga versus Singida Big Stars.

The seventh day will be a recovery period for those teams which will make it all the way to the last four ahead of semifinal clashes to be played on January eighth and ninth.

Then on January 13th, the Mapinduzi Cup champions will be declared and decorated.

Simba won the 2022 edition following a 1-0 win over Azam which was their third overall success of the tournament.