Young Africans back in league action as they face Mbeya City
Yanga striker Fiston Mayele speaks after arriving from Algeria from the CAF Confederation Cup final. PHOTO | MICHAEL MATEMANGA
What you need to know:
- Yanga players who made history by finishing second in the CAF Confederation Cup will meet Mbeya City without training due to the tight fixture
Dar es Salaam. After a tough assignment in the CAF Confederation Cup, NBC Premier League champions Young Africans (Yanga) today meet Mbeya City at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya Region.
Yanga players, who made history by finishing second in the CAF Confederation Cup, will meet Mbeya City without training due to the tight fixture.
Yanga travelled to Mbeya last night after attending a special ceremony at the State House, courtesy of President Mama Samia Suluhu Hassan.
However, the match is just ceremonial for Yanga, who have already clinched the NBC title after collecting 74 points from 28 matches. Yanga’s president, Hersi Saidi, commended the players for the achievement and said that due to a tight future, they have no room for preparations ahead of the match.
"We are thanking all stakeholders who supported this season’s achievement. We still have a task as we need to play two league matches and later feature in the Azam Federation Cup final match against Azam FC at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga on June 12. We are proud to have the best players who can fit in all matches and record the best results," he said.
Meanwhile, Yanga’s rivals, Simba, will today meet Polisi Tanzania in another league match at the Azam Complex at 7 pm. The match is decisive for Polisi Tanzania to remain in the league next season. Polisi Tanzania are placed 15th with 25 points from 28 matches and need victory in order to revive their hope of remaining in the league next season. Already, Ruvu Shooting have been relegated to the Championship Division, formerly the First Division League.
Other teams that are in danger of being relegated or feature in the relegation playoff are Tanzania Prisons, who have so far collected 34 points from 28 matches; Ihefu FC, with 33 points; and Coastal Union, who have so far collected 33 points. The list also includes Dodoma Jiji FC, who have collected 31 points; Mbeya City (30 points); Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC), with 29 points; and Mtibwa Sugar, who have so far collected 29 points.
