Yanga out to keep race tight
YOUNG Africans will look to keep up their Mainland Premier League title hopes alive, when they host Singida United in a high profile match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam today.
The defending champions are desperate to close the gap on leaders Simba and run away from third-placed Azam FC. On 46 points from 21 games, Yanga sit second in the league table, trailing their arch-rivals Simba by six points, while they sit just a point above third-placed Azam.
However, Yanga have played a game less than Simba and two less than Azam. With nine rounds to go, the Jangwani Street lads have not given up hope of retaining the title and a win today will see them moving to within three points adrift Simba.
Yanga will also look to maintain their unbeaten run since the kickoff of the second round, but that run will come under big threat against fifth-placed Singida United today.
Yanga will enter into the game today fresh from their Saturday’s 2-0 over Ethiopian side Wolaitta Dicha in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2nd 1/16th round first leg at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
However, Yanga will be without central defender Vincent Andrew, who sustained injury during the game against Wolaitta Dicha. Zimbabwean striker, Donald Ngoma and Burundian striker, Amissi Tambwe, who suffered injury set back, will also miss the encounter.
Going into the match, Head Coach George Lwandamina said Yanga will use the encounter as a perfect build up for the return leg against Wolaitta Dicha in Hawassa, Ethiopia, on April 18th, this year.
The Zambian well known as ‘Chicken’ is aware of an encounter against Singida United and will not be easy because the Singida lads are a tough opponents. “It is a difficult one … we lost against them just recently, but what we need to do now is focus our attention on the league game.
We must cut the points difference with the team above us,” he said. Singida United beat Yanga 4-2 on post-match penalty shootouts in Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC) quarterfinal at the Namfua Stadium in Singida on April 1st, this year and Dutch Coach, Hans Van der Pluijm, will be determined to maintain his superiority against his former employers.
It means, victory in today’s game against Singida United will be a sweet revenge for Lwandamina side, but it will not be easy for them, basing on the kind of the opponent they face.
Singida United will be eager to bounce back following their 0-3 loss to Mtibwa Sugar in their previous league game at home. They will also be aiming at proving that their ASFC victory against Yanga was not a fluke and they are capable of repeating the feat away from home.
Despite being in their first season in the topflight, Singida United are placed fifth on the log after bagging 36 points from 23 games. They are desperately fighting for their way up into the top four positions.
Elsewhere, fourth placed Tanzania Prisons will host struggling Kagera Sugar at the Sokoine Memorial Stadium in Mbeya. The Kagera lads will need to put a hard fight to ensure they register positive results to avoid descending back into the relegation zone.
Currently settled 13th on the log with 22 points, Kagera Sugar are separated from the relegation zone with a thin red line. Mbao FC, Njombe Mji and bottom placed Majimaji FC respectively are embroiled in the relegation zone.
Mbao, placed 14th with 20 points will be hosting 15th placed Njombe Mji at the CCM- Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza. Mbao are placed 14th on 20 points, two above 15th placed Njombe Mji after playing 23 matches each.
Defeat or a draw to either side will deepen the crisis in their struggle to escape relegation. Other matches today will see Stand United taking on bottom placed Majimaji at the Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga, while Mwadui will be up against Lipuli at the Mwadui Complex.
Simba are leading the VPL standing with 52 points followed by Yanga with 46 points and Azam with 45 points, while Tanzania Prisons and Singida United are placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
The league continues tomorrow with leaders Simba taking on Mbeya City at the National Stadium, Mtibwa Sugar will play host to Ndanda FC at the Manungu grounds in Turiani, Morogoro, while Ruvu Shooting will host Azam FC at the Mabatini grounds in Mlandizi, Coast region.
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