Floppy Simba invite Azam`s league charge

Simba Squad

After dropping two points in Tanga during their Mainland premiership’s ninth round match against Mgambo JKT on Sunday, holders Simba have virtually lost grip at the standings table.

Simba have attained 19 points realized from nine appearances to temporarily enjoy a rather weak cushion of two points over second placed Azam FC who have two matches in hand.

Unbeaten Azam entertain Ruvu Shooting at their Chamazi backyard tomorrow and a win will lift them to the top of the standings table with a match in hand.

If this happen it will be for the first time since the premiership season kicked off mid last month.

While Simba pray for Ruvu Shooting to halt Azam’s pace, the host side is well set to claim the three allotted points in tomorrow’s game.

Simba have dropped a total of eight points so far and the draw with debutants Mgambo on Sunday in Tanga was the third in row for the holders.

The result has substantially dented Simba’s title retention bid as they need to rally from behind should Azam win all of their two matches to match nine appearances.

Azam have won five and drew twice to stay two points adrift of leaders Simba but the two games in hand provide an inspiration to their eagerly awaited title charge for the season.

Azam, who finished the premiership third place twice before claiming the runners-up spot in the previous season, have set their sight on winning their maiden premiership title for the first time since joining the top flight berth in 2008/9 season.

With everything at their disposal, the Said Salim Bakhressa’s football club is likely to give torrid season the regular premiership stalwarts Simba and Yanga.

Besides Azam, Simba have also another pressure to endure as archrivals Young Africans are also closing in to reduce the gap now five points behind with a game in hand against relegation haunted Police Morogoro at their backyard of National Stadium in Dar es Salaam tomorrow.

Yanga have the same number of points like Arusha’s Oljoro who have played one more match as they await the Kagame Cup holders at their Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium on Saturday.

Other ninth round matches in tomorrow’s fixture involve Coastal Union who will be at home to visiting African Lyon at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga while Mtibwa Sugar entertain ‘blood brothers’ Kagera Sugar at the Manungu Stadium in Morogoro.