The second round of the Mainland premier soccer league kicks-off today with three matches on the fixture.
Newly promoted African Lyon host visiting Mtibwa sugar at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam in a match fans would like to gauge the debutants’ prowess.
Mtibwa, who finished the previous season as first runners-up to Simba, will be aware of playing it safe to avoid any slip up.
The sugar processors had a perfect start after containing other league new comers Manyema Rangers during last weekend’s opener played at their backyard.
Certainly, soccer fans, who are following the domestic league, will be looking to weigh whether African Lyon are capable of maintaining their pace and pull another surprise as the league unfolds.
Mtibwa Sugar, winners of the Tusker Challenge Cup and persistent league title contenders are taking to the field with an attitude of avoiding defeat at the hands of the debutants.
Lyon will be gunning to victory having secured a 1-1 draw with title holders Yanga in the pulsating opener over the weekend.
However, Lyon might find themselves on the wrong foot should they kick off the match with excessive confidence after a 1-1 draw with holders.
The other fixture involves wounded Morogoro United who are taking on Kagera Sugar at the Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba. United lost the opener to Toto Africa on Sunday and will be looking forward to avoid another defeat of their lakeside tour.
The match stands to be a thriller as the home side would like to post first league victory to satisfy their fans after a 2-2 draw with visiting Azam FC in the opener.
The third match for the day is between Toto Africa and Azam FC to be played at the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.
While Toto chalked maximum points over Moro United in the opening match, Azam would be interested to earn additional points to wrap up their costly entourage.
Both teams are aware of the way they struggled to avoid relegation hook during the previous season. Early points will be vital instead of waiting when the tide has reached close to the nose.
Azam’s Brazilian trainer Itamar Amorim knows better his team’s leadership in terms of league performance when he refers to a sudden sacking of his colleague Neider dos Santos in the closing stages of the last season’s league.
The second round will be concluded on Saturday with three other matches in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya and Songea.
Holders Yanga will have another test against Manyema Rangers who regained their top flight return after a season in first division. Mayema, coached by Abdallah Kibaden, will be seeking to justify their premiership status.
Tanzanian Prisons are at home to Simba team that saw off Majimaji in the opener by 2-0 goals to start the league impressively.
Prisons lost to JKT Ruvu by 2-1 goals and have urgent need to meet the satisfaction of their fans.
The other match will be between JKT Ruvu and Majimaji in Songea.
