Coastal Union out to end poor run in 2022/23 NBC Premier League

20Feb 2023
Michael Mwebe
Sport
The Guardian
Coastal Union out to end poor run in 2022/23 NBC Premier League

COASTAL Union was last weekend all out to return to winning ways in the 2022/23 NBC Premier League when they entertained Mbeya City FC at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga.

Coastal Union's assistant coach, Fikirini Elias. PHOTO: COURTESY OF COASTAL UNION

The Tanga side, popularly known as ‘Wagosi wa Kaya’, has now lost 11 of their 22 Premier League matches this season and they remain in the relegation zone, sitting 14th, although only five points separate them from last weekend's opponents Mbeya City FC that was positioned 10th.

Goals have been hard to come by for Coastal Union so far this season as they have found the net just 18 times in the Premier League and they have drawn blank in their last three games.

Caretaker coach Joseph Lazaro was hoping for the club’s faithful to provide a raucous atmosphere to spur his side towards much-needed three points last weekend to avoid being dragged into another relegation scrap at the end of the season.

On the other side, Mbeya City FC was unable to build on the squad’s hard-fought 1-0 home win over Mtibwa Sugar, as the side was beaten 2-0 by regional rivals Ihefu SC in their last league outing last week.

Although head coach Abdallah Mubiru seemingly has the support of Mbeya City FC's hierarchy, a torrid run of just one victory in their last 10 matches across is a major cause for concern.

Furthermore, Mubiru’s charges who have won only five of their 22 Premier League matches this season, have struggled to come away from Mkwakwani Stadium with a positive result over the years, as they have never won any one of their last seven away games against Coastal Union.

They were hoping forward Sixtus Sabilo was in a good frame to score the desired goals as he chases to hit double figures for the first time.

The former Namungo FC striker has eight goals and six assists for Mbeya City FC this season.

In head-to-head stats, Coastal Union and Mbeya City FC have met in 15 league matches since 2013/14.

Mbeya City FC has claimed five wins compared to four for ‘Wagosi wa Kaya’, while six matches have been drawn.

The Tanga side has won three of their seven home league matches against their Mbeya counterparts, suffering no defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, they settled for a 2-2 stalemate at Sokoine stadium in Mbeya.

In the other game of the day, Namungo FC made a trip to Bukoba where hosts Kagera Sugar were lurking.

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