Simba, Azam FC in tricky Mainland League duels

Dar es Salaam. Big guns, Azam FC and Simba, today face tricky tests as the Mainland Tanzania Premier League continues at two different venues.

As Simba will be away playing against Polisi Tanzania at the Ushirika Stadium in Moshi at 4pm, Azam FC will at 7pm be hosting Coastal Union at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam.

The two matches are expected to be thrilling and each team likely be targeting victory in order to improve their position in the league standings.

Azam FC are now placed second with 29 points from 13 matches while Simba are third with 28 points from 13 matches respectively.

As per the league log, victory against Coastal Union, will take the ice-cream makers to the top of the standings if the league leaders, Young Africans (Yanga), draw with or lose to Mbeya City.

As we went to press yesterday, Yanga was clashing with Mbeya City at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The same situation will apply to Simba if they win over Polisi Tanzania and Yanga and Azam FC draw or lose their matches.

However, Azam FC and Simba should not expect easy matches against Coastal Union and Polisi Tanzania, who are also targeting victory in order to improve their chances in the league standings. Coastal Union are placed 12th with 12 points from 11 matches and victory will take them to the 10th position replacing KMC.

Polisi Tanzania are placed 14th with nine points from 13 matches and will go up two places if they win over Simba. However, all eyes and ears will likely be directed at the Ushirika Stadium whereby Simba will be seeking victory to restore their winning note in the league.

Simba’s previous match result did not impress their fans after they drew 1-1 against Mbeya City at the Sokoine Stadium. Simba head coach Juma Mgunda said all of his players are in good shape to produce a good result in the encounter. He said the players are aware of their commitment to the encounter in which they have promised to fight hard and come out with a good result. “It is one of our important matches in the league. We need to stretch our muscles in order to win the game,” said Mgunda.

He said Polisi Tanzania are a strong team that they do not underestimate. Polisi Tanzania head coach John Tamba said they are taking the encounter seriously in order to emerge victorious. He said they are facing a strong opposition from Simba, who are a strong team targeting victory too in order to continue chasing the league title.

“My players are ready for the match and have promised to come out with a good result. It is a very important match to us because we are not in a safe position in the league table,” said Tamba.