Yanga, Azam FC eye top seat in Mainland Premier League

Dar es Salaam. Defending champions, Young Africans (Yanga) today face Azam FC in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium from6.30pm.

The clash is not just a contest between two football clubs but rather a battle for supremacy and the chance to lead the league.

The match is expected to be the thrilling one as each team target victory in order to leapfrog leading team, Simba at the top of the league standing.

Currently, Yanga sit in third place in the league standings with 12 points, but they have a golden opportunity to overtake their arch-rivals, Simba, who are currently perched at the top with 15 points.

Azam FC, on the other hand, are equally poised to make a statement in the match. They are just one point adrift of Simba, with 14 points from their previous fixtures. A triumph for Azam FC would propel them to the summit, with 16 points, marking a remarkable rise to the top spot.

This match not only holds the potential for a dramatic shift in the league hierarchy but also promises an exciting display of football prowess. Both Yanga and Azam FC have been in fine form, and the fans can expect a fiercely contested battle.

The game’s centre of attraction will likely be Feisal “Fei Toto” Salum and Yannick Bangala as both have joined Azam FC from their former employers, Yanga. Yanga head coach Miguel Gamondi said he is taking the encounter with all his weight and targeting victory aimed at defending the title.

In the last duel, Yanga won 2-0 against Azam FC in the Community Shield at the Mkwakwani Stadium.

"I’m aware that it is going to be a tough game since Azam FC will be seeking a revenge against us. We have taken all precautions, and my players are ready to make history this season," he said.

He said his players are ready to play at their best in order to emerge victorious in an expected thrilling match."We need to prove our worth in the encounter and maintain our best record against the team," said Gamondi.

Azam FC head coach Youssoupha Dabo said his team are unfazed by Yanga after undergoing intensive training in Tunisia and later in the country. Dabo stressed that his players are psyched up to face Yanga and will win to qualify for the final match.

"We know that it is not going to be a walk in the park. Yanga have good players, but my men are determined to record a win," said Senegalese Dabo.