Pundits predict tough league

They argued that improvement of the squad made by some of the topflight league clubs will make it even tough to predict the champion but tipped the top three - Simba, Young Africans and Azam - as favourites to lift the trophy.

“As the second round resume this weekend, we expect Simba, Yanga and Azam will continue to dominate the league, but it is difficult to predict who will win the title in the end,” said former Yanga and Taifa Stars midfielder Ally MayaiMayai believes that it will be a three-horse race basing on the fact that Simba, Yanga and Azam have been busy during the mini-transfer window to reshuffle their packs, recruiting new foreign players to beef up their squads.

This, he said, will give them a slight advantage over the rest of the packs, who have not been active during the transfer window which closes today at midnight.

In the mini-transfer window, Simba have recruited Ghanaian custodian Daniel Agyei, midfield maestro, James Kotei also from Ghana and striker Pastory Athanas from Stand United of Shinyanga. Agyei played brilliantly for Medeama during the CAF Confederations Cup ties while Kotei had played professional soccer in Oman before his attempt to play for Simba.

The Msimbazi Reds are also said to be finalising loaning or signing Zesco striker and former Taifa Stars player Juma Luzio. Yanga have signed a deal with former Zesco midfielder Justine Zullu just few days after former Zesco head coach George Lwandamina took charge of the team from Dutchman tactician Hans van der Pluijm, who has became the Technical bench Director.

On their side the ice-cream makers club recruited central defender Yakubu Mohammed from Ghana, Cameroonian defensive midfielder Stephan Kingue Mpondo and Mbeya City’s winger Joseph Mahundi. Mohammed and Mpondo replace Pascal Wawa and Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, who have left the club. Other signed players by the club under Spaniard tactician Zeben Hernandez are Yahaya Mohammed, Samuel Afful and Enock Agyei from Ghana.

However, Mayai seems to be worried on whether Azam signings will be able to perform basing on the influx of foreign players, who have just been recruited, saying they will need time to cope with the league. Mayai also said mid table teams - Kagera Sugar, Mtibwa, Ruvu Shooting and Tanzania Prisons are predicted to continue with their role and also predicted Majimaji, will return in the league more rejuvenated and a better challenger.

Experts also predicted that Mbeya City, Ndanda FC, African Lyon, Mbao, Toto Africans, Mwadui and JKT Ruvu will face a big battle of rescuing themselves from relegation.

On his side, former Secretary General of the then Football Association of Tanzania (FAT), now Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), Ismail Aden Rage, predicted that Simba will clinch the league title. However, he cautioned the side to work harder as they have better side which deserves to win the title.

Rage, who is also former Simba Chairman, also gave the league’s defending champions Yanga a distance chance to retain the title. “Yanga and Azam have a distance chance to win the title because they equally have good and capable squads,” said Rage. However, Rage cautioned that his predictions will be correct only if referees will be fair by observing the 17 rules of the game.

Yanga are expected to revive their bid for successful title retention when they face JKT Ruvu in one of the opening second round matches at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

With two points separating current table toppers Simba with Yanga in second place, the holders will cherish their chances of tasting the driver’s seat for the first time this season if they beat JKT Ruvu.

Simba are top on 35 points. Sitting third, ten points behind Simba, stuttering giants Azam will face African Lyon at the Azam Complex in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam.