Tanzania’s top three clubs all emerged with tight victories over the weekend in the NBC Premier League, keeping Young Africans and Azam FC tied atop the league table. Azam have gained plenty of momentum from their victory over Simba SC at the end of October, recording three more victories including Saturday’s 4-3 win over Mtibwa Sugar. Congolese forward Idris Mbombo struck twice to bring his season total to five goals, helping Azam to a 4-1 advantage before the Ice Cream Makers held off a late charge in Turiani.
There were less goals in wins for Simba and Young Africans but neither team will mind as long as they earn maximum points. Simba’s talented attack has not been producing as many goals as their supporters would like but Pape Ousmane Sakho’s long range drive gave the Reds a 1-0 victory at home against Ihefu FC. The Senegalese forward took a pass from Moses Phiri before launching an effort that bounced just beyond the reach of the goalkeeper to put his side on 21 points from 10 matches.
Simba are two points behind Azam and rivals Young Africans, who edged Kagera Sugar 1-0 in a road match near Tanzania’s border with Uganda. Tanzania national team midfielder Feisal Salum collected a pass on the right wing and picked out Clement Mzize, who beat the goalkeeper to the ball to head in his first professional goal after being promoted from Yanga’s under-20 team. Mali national team goalkeeper preserved the win for Yanga by saving a 70th minute penalty kick to deny the hosts a share of the points. Yanga are tied at the top with Azam but have played two less matches due to CAF interclub competition duty, leaving them in the driver’s seat.
Highlights from all three matches are below following the scores from the weekend.
Scores
Geita Gold 1-1 KMC
Mtibwa Sugar 3-4 Azam FC
Simba SC 1-0 Ihefu FC
Mbeya City 2-2 Coastal Union
Kagera Sugar 0-1 Young Africans
Highlights
Kagera Sugar 0-1 Young Africans
Simba SC 1-0 Ihefu FC
Mtibwa Sugar 3-4 Azam FC
