Four teams face relegation as NBC League goes into home stretch

Dar es Salaam. As the Tanzania Mainland Premier League continues today with Dodoma Jiji FC hosting Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) at the Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma, the focus shifts to the relegation battle among bottom-placed teams.

Currently, Yanga, Azam FC, and Simba are contending for the silverware in the league, with the Jangwani Street side given an 85 percent chance to retain the title due to their current position in the league log.

Yanga have collected 59 points from 23 matches, five ahead of second-placed Azam FC, who have 54 points from 24 matches, and 13 points ahead of third-placed Simba, who have 46 points from 21 games.

Arithmetically, Yanga need 15 points (five wins out of seven remaining matches) to retain the title for the third time consecutively. Azam FC and Simba should pray for Yanga to falter in their remaining matches while securing victories to surpass them and claim the title.

However, the two teams are set to face each other on May 9 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, and the winner will become the official contender for the title against Yanga.

This means that Yanga may collect fewer than 15 points depending on the results of matches involving Azam FC and Simba, while also needing to win at least four matches in their remaining fixtures.

As the top three teams vie for the top spot, pressure is also mounting on the other 13 teams in the league standings.

Statistics indicate that Mtibwa Sugar, currently at the bottom of the standings, must step up their performance to avoid relegation. They have collected 17 points so far, and if they win all their remaining eight games, they will amass 41 points and avoid relegation.

The league standings also show that Coastal Union, in fourth place with 33 points from 23 matches, need at least nine points to secure their place in the league. The Tanga-based team are also competing for a top-five finish against KMC, who are fifth with 32 points from 23 matches.

Also, in the relegation zone are Tabora United with 23 points from 24 matches. The team can collect 41 points if they win all of their remaining matches. Others in the danger zone are Mashujaa and JKT Tanzania, placed 14th and 13th respectively, with 23 points each from 24 and 23 matches. JKT Tanzania and Mashujaa may feature in the relegation playoffs against third and fourth-placed teams from the Championship.

Meanwhile, Dodoma Jiji FC and KMC are facing off today as the league continues at one venue. The match at the Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma Region will kick off at 4pm.

Both teams' coaches have expressed their confidence in securing the best result to consolidate their positions in the league standings.