MTIBWA Sugar topped the Mainland Premier League table yesterday after beating Dodoma Jiji 1-0 at Liti Stadium in Singida.
However, Mtibwa’s leadership will depend on today’s game between Young Africans and Kinondoni Municipal Council at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Charles Ilafya’s 60th-minute-only goal earned Mtibwa Sugar maximum points, giving them command with 15 points above Simba SC, Young Africans and Singida Big Stars, who have all lodged 14 points.
At Sokoine Stadium, Tanzania Prisons thrashed Polisi Tanzania 2-0.
Prisons got goals through Jeremiah Juma in the 5th and Samson Mbangula in the 45th minute.
In another development, Young Africans have refuted claims that Head Coach Nasreddine Nabi has been sacked, insisting that the Tunisian trainer is still at the club’s helm.
Yesterday, social media platforms were awash with speculations that the two parties have gone separate ways forcing the club’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andre Mtine, to give an update through Yanga App.
“Mtine was quoted as: “The management of Yanga informs members and supporters that Nasreddine Nabi is still Head Coach of our team.”
He then seized the platform to advise the Yanga family to always verify information concerning the club through its official media channels like Yanga App, website, and social media platforms.
The update on Yang App further indicates that the management wishes him (Nabi) and his technical bench the best of luck in tomorrow’s match versus KMC, to be played from 7:00 pm at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Meanwhile, Yanga have an opportunity to establish a three-point gap at the top of the table if they manage to outshine KMC at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam today.
The duo meet in a tense Premier League match, searching for an important victory with maximum points as the season steadily gathers pace.
As it stands, Yanga have 14 points from six matches after generating four wins and two draws, enabling them to sit in second place on the log.
Speaking at a pre-match briefing yesterday, Yanga coach Nabi said he has seen a big improvement in the KMC squad especially when they played against Simba and Azam.
“They are an improved side and have been doing well in most of their matches. For us, the most important thing is to bag maximum points even though we had a brief period to prepare for the game.
“We are going to do rotation when necessary to rest some of the players who have been playing regularly, but our focus is three points,” he said.
On his part, KMC Assistant Coach Ahmed Ally said they have done thorough preparations to pocket vital three points against defending champions.
“We are aware that it is going to be a difficult match based on the fact that Yanga is a good team with great players and a technical bench but, to our side, we are equally ready for the showdown,” he said.
He also pointed out that they have analysed their opponent well in all their previous league matches, including the recent traditional derby match and are aware of what to do to get good results”.
