Ligi Kuu Bara: Race for Confederation Cup spot heats up after Singida Black Stars down Azam

With Simba SC engaged in the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals and league leaders Young Africans scheduled to play on Monday, the spotlight turned to the rest of the Tanzania Mainland Premier League's top five clubs this weekend.

With third place very much up for grabs, fourth place Singida Black Stars boosted their hopes of playing in the CAF Confederation Cup next season with a 1-0 victory over third place Azam FC. In a tight match, Kenyan forward Elvis Rupia's second half strike was the difference. Rupia ran onto a ball played over the top of the Azam defense to score his 10th goal of the season.

It is the fourth consecutive league victory for Singida Black Stars who kept clean sheets in all four matches. They are now within a point of Azam following Sunday's result with five matches remaining for both teams.

Over in Mwanza, top division newcomers Pamba Jiji defeated fifth placed Tabora United by a 1-0 score. James Mwashinga finished from a cross in the first half to give the relegation battlers a big victory to boost their cause.

Two more matches remain to be played on Sunday before Young Africans host Coastal Union on Monday (13:00 GMT).

League Table (Top-5)

	GP	Points
Young Africans	23	61
Simba SC	22	57
Azam FC	25	51
Singida Black Stars	25	50
Tabora United	25	37

The top two finishers qualify for the 2025-26 CAF Champions League.
The third place team qualifies for the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup.