Premier League sides avoid Federation Cup upsets 

06Mar 2023
Michael Mwebe
Dar es Salaam
Sport
The Guardian
Premier League sides avoid Federation Cup upsets 

THERE was to be no giant-killing in this season's Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC) Round of 16 as 2022/23 NBC Premier League sides Simba SC, Yanga, Singida Big Stars, Ihefu SC, Geita Gold FC, and Mtibwa Sugar marched on to the ASFC quarterfinals.

Yanga's midfielder, Stephane Aziz Ki (L), outfoxes Tanzania Prisons' midfielder, Dotto Shaaban, when the clubs locked horns in a 2022/23 Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC)'s Round of 16's duel which took place at Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam last weekend. Yanga cruised to a 4-1 win. PHOTO: COURTESY OF YANGA

The top-flight clubs edged out their respective opponents in the ASFC's Round of 16 ties that took place last weekend.

Simba SC, Singida Big Stars, Ihefu SC, and Geita Gold FC beat lower-league opposition to ease into the quarterfinals.

On Thursday, Simba SC beat second-tier outfit, Tanga's African Sports, 4-0 after being set on its way by an early first-half goal netted by Congolese forward, Jean Baleke.

Center-back Kennedy Juma, forward Mohamed Mussa, and winger Jimmyson Mwinuke were the other goal-scorers for Simba SC.

On Friday, Geita Gold FC easily saw off Championship League side, Dar es Salaam's Green Warriors, winning 3-1 in Geita.

Geoffrey Manyasi, Danny Lyanga, and Elias Maguri scored the goals for Geita Gold FC to have the side reaching the quarterfinals for the second time in a row.

Singida Big Stars had the toughest assignment against Championship League leader, JKT Tanzania, but came through with a hard-fought 1-0 home win.

Congolese defender, Biemes Carno, scored for the NBC Premier League side in added-on time.

The ASFC reigning champion, Yanga, eased into the last eight after commanding a comfortable 4-1 home win over Tanzania Prisons at Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Second-half goals netted by captain Bakari Mwamnyeto, and Clement Mzize, who scored a brace, and a penalty converted by Stephane Aziz Ki secured Yanga a tie in the next round scheduled for early next month.

At Manungu Stadium in Morogoro, hosts Mtibwa Sugar squeezed past fellow NBC Premier League side, Kinondoni Municipal Council FC, with a 1-0 victory to also book a place in the last eight.

Right full-back David Kameta scored the all-important goal for Mtibwa Sugar through a first-half spot-kick.

Ihefu SC also cruised to a 2-0 home win at Highland Estates Stadium, Mbarali, overcoming Championship League side Pan Africans to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in the former's history.

Andrew Simchimba scored on either side of halftime for the hosts to take his tally to seven goals in the ASFC.

He is only two goals shy of reaching last season’s ASFC top goal scorer, Abdulhamis Suleiman ‘Sopu’ now turning out for Azam FC.

Azam FC, Kagera Sugar, and Mbeya City FC were set to complete the quarterfinals lineup on Sunday.

Mwanza’s Mapinduzi FC, the only non-league side in the competition, was scheduled to come up against Azam FC at Azam Complex Stadium.

Kagera Sugar and Mbeya City FC were set to face each other in an all-NBC Premier League affair at Kaitaba Stadium.

Other NBC Premier League sides, Dodoma Jiji FC, Tanzania Prisons, Kinondoni Municipal Council FC, Ruvu Shooting, Polisi Tanzania, Namungo FC, and Coastal Union were eliminated in the Round of 32 games played in January.

In addition to a trophy, medals and 50m/- prize money, the winner of the ASFC earns a ticket to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.

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