Africa-Press – Tanzania. DAR ES SALAAM football giants; Simba and Young Africans begin their Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC) campaign, with Simba facing JKT Tanzania at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium tomorrow.
Their traditional rivals Yanga are pitted against Ihefu at the same venue on Wednesday.
The defending champions Simba clinched the silverware after stamping a 1-0 victory over Young Africans at Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma; hence they have a task to retain i t this season.
It was a remarkable season for Simba after securing three silverwares last season.
Simba grabbed the ASFC title following Taddeo Lwanga header against a 10-man Yanga.
It was a tight encounter with both clubs fighting to their last breath, but the Yanga side finished the encounter with one man less after Mukoko Tonombe fouled John Bocco and was sent off with a straight red card.
However, Simba are facing JKT Tanzania, who are strug- gling in the Championship, which may look like a downhill task for the champions.
Still, it should be remem- bered that these matches are played in a knockout format, meaning that once you lose, your race ends.
On the other hand, last sea- son’s finalists Yanga will face Ihefu in their third-round ASFC fixture this Wednesday, and it’s expected to be a thrilling and unpredictable duel.
Ihefu are currently doing well in the Championship.
They have intensified their battle to reclaim the Premier League promotion next season after being relegated last term barely one season into the marathon.
Defeating Yanga on the day will be Ihefu’s number one priority to book a ticket of playing in the next stage of the competi- tion; it will be a good match that is worth watching.
Azam will play against Green Warriors at Azam Complex in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam while Kinondoni Municipal Council will be at Uhuru Stadi- um entertaining Majimaji FC. Another game will see Mbeya City welcoming African Sports at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya. Finally, at Nelson Man- dela Stadium in Sumbawanga, the hosts Tanzania Prisons will face Kitayosce, who are presently doing well in the Cham- pionship.
The winner of the ASFC title earns an opportunity to represent the country in CAF Confederation Cup games which usually becomes a good platform for the successful team to parade in the international contest.
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