Young Africans and Kagera Sugar have a key role to play in deciding where the Mainland premiership title should land

Dethroned champions Young Africans and Kagera Sugar have a key role to play in deciding where the Mainland premiership title should land between pacemakers Simba and another hottest title contender Azam this weekend.

Azam thrashed visiting Toto Africa by 3-1 goals in their penultimate round match played at their backyard in Chamazi yesterday.

The victory has enabled the ice-cream makers to hit a 56-point mark, just three short of Simba’s as the winds up on Saturday.

The possibilities are wide open for both Simba and Azam to cruise into the title podium as each team urgently need to win the final match.

Azam might win their maiden title four seasons after promotion into the top flight berth should Young Africans beat their bitter rivals Simba and goal aggregate computations to work for them.

Simba have no option except to beat Yanga or draw to shrug off the pressure from the ice cream makers who have been tracking the title with inexorable quest.

Simba would have been crowned as Mainland champions yesterday had Toto edged Azam but it was the other way round as Simba are kept waiting up to the final league match.

Azam have so far closed the goal difference with Simba from the previous five to two and cautiously await their final match against Kagera sugar also to be played at their own Chamazi backyard.

Azam has five of their last games played at their Chamazi Stadium and savored a title chase boost when they earned three windfall points and as many goals courtesy of Mtibwa Sugar’s penalty boycott last week.

Azam’s Cote d‘Ivoire’s striker Kipre Tcheche opened the gates for his team when he headed home Ibrahim Mwaipopo’s cross as early as the tenth minute to keep Toto trailing.

A defensive mix up gave Tcheche a smiling moment when he slotted home the second goal for the host side, thanks to John Bochco’s intricate pass.

The Chamazi team wasted no time as they conclude their rout with the third goal in the 37th minute through striker John Bocco who combined well with Tcheche.

Toto tried in vain to hit back as Azam maintained their supremacy throughout the second half.

However, Toto got a consolation goal three minutes to time through Egina Darlington and reduce the losing margin.

The loss has dealt a huge blow to Toto who have to hand on and win their final round match on Saturday.

Three teams of African Lyon, Toto and Villa need to be careful in their fight against relegation before one of them joins Moro United and Police Dodoma in the relegation flight.

The penultimate round matches are concluded today as relegation haunted Villa Squad meet Oljoro JKT at the same venue.

Villa have to win and revive hopes of floating in the top flight berth while the game is a mere formality for the army side of Arusha.