Battle of survival in Tanzania Premier League heats up

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Mainland Premier League continues today at three different venues, with four teams  in danger of being demoted or featuring in the relegation play off against third and fourth placed two teams in the Championship.

Today’s fixture shows that Namungo FC at 4pm will host Geita Gold FC at the Majaliwa Stadium in Lindi while Coastal Union at 6pm will meet Singida Fountain Gate FC at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga and at 8pm Dodoma Jiji FC will clash with Tanzania Prisons at the Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma.

The matches are crucial for the six teams in order to improve their chances in the ongoing Tanzania Mainland Premier League.

Namungo FC, who are currently placed 12th with 27 points from 25 matches, need victory in order to continue fighting to avoid the relegation zone, which now has 10 teams. Namungo FC head coach Mwinyi Zahera said they are taking the match with all precautions, noting that they are facing Geita Gold FC who are also fighting for their survival. Geita Gold FC are now in the 14th position with 24 points from 25 games.

He predicted that the match will be tough and his target is to return to their winning note after a defeat to Ihefu FC in their previous match.

“We lost 2-0 to Ihefu FC in the past match, we need to return in our positive way and win over Geita Gold FC. It is going to be a tough game since they are also fighting to remain in the league,” he said.

Geita Gold FC head coach Dennis Kitambi said they are targeting victory over Namungo FC despite playing away. Kitambi explained that all the remaining matches are now crucial and only victory will determine their survival in the league.

“We are not in the safe place and we need to avoid it. The only way to achieve our goal is to record victory in all our remaining matches. So, we are taking our match against Namungo FC with all precautions,” said Kitambi.

Arithmetically, Mtibwa, who are placed 16th and Tabora United in 15th, are in danger of being relegated directly.

Mtibwa Sugar, who won 3-0 over Tabora United yesterday, have so far collected 20 points while Tabora United are with 23 points from 26 matches.

Also, in the relegation zone are Mashujaa FC with 26 points from 26 matches.

The team can collect 38 points if they are to win all of their remaining four matches. As per rules and regulations, 16th and 15th places teams will directly be relegated while 14th and 13th teams will feature in playoffs.