Tanzania premier soccer league kicked off last Saturday with holders Simba shining as Azam and Tanzania Prisons ended their voodoo in Bukoba and Mbeya, respectively.
It was for the first time since Tanzania Prisons earned a point over Young Africans in premiership matches played at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.
Prisons have in most cases end up as losers to Yanga in all the premiership matches staged at the Sokoine Stadium. Last Saturday’s barren draw came as surprise to most of the soccer fans who have raised eyebrows over the new-look Prison wardens.
The result shocked even Yanga ardent fans who were looking forward to a huge victory over the newly re-promoted side, Prisons.
A pre-match call by Prisons officials for home fans to cheer their team has been respected with the barren draw.
In Bukoba it was almost a similar story as Azam who have always lost their matches at the Kaitaba Stadium scooped all the three points. The opening match victory for Azam has been the first after two seasons when they had always kicked off the league with losses.
It has been a historic victory in Bukoba as Kagera Sugar have always been supreme over Azam in premiership matches played at the Kaitaba Stadium. Collecting the entire three points heralds that Azam have significantly reversed their trend in premiership openers.
For the past two seasons Azam have been losing the first three league openers including the Bukoba assignment.
Points from Kaitaba Stadium look to be highly precious for the ice-cream makers who finished runners up in the previous season.
Therefore point for Prisons and three for Azam during the openers are the most stunning results as Yanga and Kagera sugar have to shuffle their cards right as the premiership is just rolling.
Midweek fixture takes Yanga to Morogoro against equally competitive Mtibwa Sugar whom they have in most cases struggle to beat there.
In Dar es Salaam holders Simba have to entertain JKT Ruvu who have triumphed over ‘blood brothers’ Ruvu Shooting last Saturday.
Prisons will still be at their base in Mbeya as they entertain Coastal Union in one of the matches expected to be highly thrilling.
While Kagera Sugar host JKT Oljoro at their Kaitaba backyard, Azam prowess will be tested to the limits as they take on Toto Africa at the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.
It will be a tough assignment for the ice cream makers who must prove their prowess after scooping three points in Kagera.
