The 2023-24 NBC Premier League got underway with the first week of matches in Tanzania’s top tier featuring two of the country’s top clubs. Tanzania Community Shield winners Simba SC and last season’s third placed side Azam FC were among the teams in action with plenty of goals to mark the beginning of their domestic league campaigns. In addition to victories for the well known clubs from Dar es Salaam there were victories for capital side Dodoma Jiji as well as Geita Gold.
On Thursday, Simba stormed out to a quick start against Mtibwa Sugar with two goals in the opening ten minutes from Jean Baleke and Willy Essomba Onana but a swift response from the hosts saw Matheo Anthony score twice in two minutes to level around the twenty minute mark. A goal just before halftime from former Al-Hilal Omdurman and Raja CA midfielder Fabrice Ngoma handed Simba the lead before Clatous Chama wrapped up the victory with a late strike.
For Azam FC it was a much more comfortable outing on Wednesday to say the least. Newly promoted Kitayosce FC were overwhelmed by the Azam attack with four goals in the opening fifteen minutes to leave the result decided by the quarter hour mark. Former Young Africans midfielder Feisal Salum opened the scoring inside three minutes and completed his hat-trick after Zimbabwean striker Prince Dube doubled Azam’s lead in the fifth minute.
Highlights from the victories for Simba and Azam are below as well as Geita Gold’s victory over Ihefu SC from Tuesday.
Scores
Mtibwa Sugar 2-4 Simba SC
Azam FC 4-0 Kitayosce FC
Mashujaa 2-0 Kagera Sugar
Dodoma Jiji 2-1 Coastal Union
Namungo 0-1 JKT Tanzania
Ihefu 0-1 Geita Gold
Highlights
Mtibwa Sugar 2-4 Simba SC
Azam FC 4-0 Kitayosce
Ihefu SC 0-1 Geita Gold
