Simba, Azam face acid tests as Premier League gathers pace
Simba players during a past training session at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- As the Simba-TZ Prisons match will start at 4pm at the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro, the Azam FC-Coastal Union encounter will kick off at 6pm at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam. After successfully qualifying for the knockout stage of the CAF Champions League, Simba SC are back in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League assignments, meeting Tanzania Prisons today at the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro.
The match, which is predicted to be tough following the current form of the two teams, will start at 4pm.
Besides the match, at 6pm today Azam FC will also be facing an uphill task against Coastal Union at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam. The matches are expected to be thrilling as all the four teams will be targeting victories in order to improve their chances in the league standings. Simba enter the stadium as favourites after a 1-0 win over JKT Tanzania on February 15, 2024 at the Major General Isamuhyo ground in Dar es Salaam.
On the other hand, Tanzania Prisons’ recorded a 2-1 victory over Tabora United at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.
Records show that in the past five matches, Simba managed to win three matches and drew twice as Tanzania Prisons won three matches, drew once and lost once respectively. However, it is not going to be a walk in the park for Simba because Tanzania Prisons will be targeting to take revenge on the Msimbazi Street titans. In the first leg, Simba won 3-1 at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.
Simba will likely be targeting to secure the three points in order to close the point gap with leaders Young Africans (Yanga). Simba are third with 36 points from 15 matches. Yanga lead the league standings with 43 points from 16 games, followed by Azam FC with 43 points from 19 matches. Tanzania Prisons are placed in the sixth position with 24 points from 18 matches.
“We are well aware that gaining the control of Tanzania Prisons will not be easy. They are one of the league’s most strong teams. So, we are approaching this match with caution,” said Simba head coach Abdelhak Benchikha.
Tanzania Prisons head coach Hamad Ally said that they are facing a strong opposition, but expressed confidence that his men will play according to instructions and walk away with the maximum points.
For their part, Azam FC will also be targeting to cut the gap on top placed Yanga by winning over fourth placed Coastal Union, who have so far collected 26 points from 18 matches.
