AS the eventful 2023/24 season heads for a kick-off, Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has envisioned epic campaign, calling for maximum cooperation from all football stakeholders.
This was highlighted by the board’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Almasi Kasongo in Dar es Salaam on Sunday as he pointed out on how they are preparing with the brand new season.
“Last season, we managed to have a colourful campaign because of massive cooperation we had with government and other key partners no wonder we scooped number five on the list of strongest leagues in Africa.
“As such, we also aim to approach next season with integrity and openness for the sake of embracing extra successes than the ones accumulated last term,” Kasongo said.
He then pointed out that implementation of club licensing remain a major obstacle that still undermines smooth development of the country’s leagues.
“I believe that if we can at least implement club licensing for 60 or 70 per cent, we can reach at the level where everyone would like to see our league to be…we have infrastructure problems, administration, legal, finance as well as youth development which are all critical when it comes to club licensing,” he noted.
On the upcoming Community Shield mini-tournament in Tanga, Kasongo said its preparations are unfolding well and that people should be ready to experience a fantastic football display.
“All the four teams that will be featured in the tournament are already on the ground re-charging their respective squads specifically to achieve success.
“For example, Young Africans are at Avic Town in Kigamboni preparing for the contest likewise Simba who are in Turkey, Azam in Tunisia while Singida Fountain Gate FC are in Arusha all rehearsing for the big showdown.
“Aside of training hard, these teams are also doing well in signing of new players with each injecting new faces they think will help them to attain their respective achievements,” he said.
The first match to launch the mini-tournament will see holders Yanga facing Azam at Mkwakwani Stadium on August 9th before witnessing Simba taking on Singida Fountain Gate a day later at the same venue.
The winning sides from each semi-final duel will progress to the finals for the new champions of the 2023/24 season to be identified.
Interestingly, the four teams are the ones set to represent the country in CAF Interclub Games as Simba and Yanga parade in the Champions League whereas Azam and Singida Fountain Gate feature in the Confederation Cup.
It is still a puzzle as how far these envoys will go in the international matches with each targeting to reach in the group stage.
