Author: BENJAMIN BEN
AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has made changes in the system to pick the country’s envoys for CAF Confederation Cup beginning the next season.
From the changes if it happens that the Premier League champions also win the Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC), then the runners up in the top flight league will play in CAF Confederation Cup.
Previously, if coincidentally the champions of the Premier League also lift the ASFC title, then the finalists in the ASFC is given the ticket to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.
This means that the champions of ASFC will still be the country’s envoys in the CAF Confederation Cup provided if they are not winners of the elite league.
However, clarifying on this matter yesterday was the TPLB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Almas Kasongo who said the reason behind the changes of the guidelines is to foster competition in the league.
“It is true that we have made some changes to our guidelines after consulting clubs and other sport stakeholders on how best to improve the competition in these two competitions.
“One of the many changes we have made this season in accordance with opinions we received from various stakeholders is that if it happens that the champions of the top flight league are also champions of the ASFC, then the second place occupants in the league will play in CAF Confederation Cup,” Kasongo said.
He continued: “The primary purpose to alter the guidelines will highly accelerate competition in the two competitions until in the last games.
“You may recall that last season, we witnessed the finals of ASFC while we already knew the two teams which will represent the country in CAF Champions League (CAF CL) and CAF Confederation Cup hence, the taste of real competition was affected,” said he.
Last season, Simba who are the defending champions of the top flight league also clinched the ASFC after outclassing Namungo FC 2-1 at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Sumbawanga.
The outcome automatically declared finalists Namungo as the envoys in the CAF Confederation Cup according to then available regulations before being amended this term.
Meanwhile, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) yesterday inked a one- year sponsorship deal with its banking partner KCB Bank worth 500m/- which will see the latter continuing to bankroll the top flight league.
Speaking on behalf of TFF president Wallace Karia at a brief signing ceremony in the city, TPLB chairman Stephen Mguto said they always appreciate what KCB Bank provides to the federation for the smooth running of the league.
On his part, the Bank’s Director of Corporate Affairs Barry Chale said they are pleased to be part and parcel of football development in the country.
“As KCB, we believe that the sector of sports, despite being useful for entertainment and health purposes, it also plays an active role in terms of economic growth,” he said.
