TANZANIA: THE bid for second place finish and battles to avoid relegation intensify as all 16 teams in the Premier League log search for crucial points today.
Scheduled to kick off at 4:00 pm, each team will be playing their 29th league fixture of the season with one more fixture to go before winding up the eventful campaign.
At the moment, much focus is on which side is destined to finish the season in the second slot as well as knowing the two teams that will farewell the league party through relegation.
As such, today’s fixtures will help to provide some answers, though one more encounter will remain before closing the entertaining 2023/24 season. Simba and Azam are giving each other no breathing space, as they fight hard to earn an opportunity to feature in the CAF Champions League (CAF CL) next season.
The only way to achieve that is to end the campaign as runners-up and the duo have equal chances to grab the adorable opportunity.
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However, the Msimbazi Street giants have a tricky fixture as they welcome KMC at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha, a neutral ground for both teams. A win by Simba will take them to 66 points from 29 games, thereby cementing their quest to wrap up the season in second place.
On the other hand, KMC who sit fifth on the table, courtesy of 36 points are also hunting for maximum points as they are five points adrift fourth slot occupants Coastal Union. Azam are up against Kagera Sugar at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam in another competitive clash today.
Similarly, Azam’s triumph will guarantee them 66 points after 29 duels to keep sniffing the chance of featuring in the Champions League next season. At Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in the city, champions Young Africans go head-to-head versus Tabora United and the former’s success will award them 77 points in 29 fixtures.
The game will also be specifically used to present Yanga their 30th league title immediately afterwards. Tabora United also need to win to stand a good chance of evading the play-off as they lately accommodate 14th place with 27 points in the bag and are just 6 points above the bottomplaced Mtibwa Sugar.
The other match sees fourth-placed Coastal Union welcoming JKT Tanzania at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga. If the hosts manage to win, they will remain glued on the fourth slot with 44 points in 29 clashes while JKT Tanzania’s victory will see them collecting 34 points from the same number of outings.
An interesting duel unfold at Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma where Mashujaa face off relegation threatened Mtibwa Sugar.
A triumph by Mashujaa will help to take them out of the play-off zone as they will pocket 32 points from 29 matches but that will depend on the outcome of other matches. On the other hand, a defeat by Mtibwa Sugar will officially confirm their relegation as they will remain plastered at the base of the table with 21 points from 29 encounters.
Elsewhere, Namungo face Tanzania Prisons at Majaliwa Stadium in Lindi, while Singida Fountain Gate entertain Geita Gold at Nyamagana Stadium in Mwanza and Ihefu welcome Dodoma Jiji at Liti Stadium in Singida.
