Premier league turns into three-horse race

No one thought Simba would join the title race this much earl, basing on the club’s turbulences as well as wobbly performance. Unbelievable as it look to be, Simba are now taking deep charge into the title track unless Yanga and Azam plot resurgence firepower. A few weeks ago the premier league title race seemed a straight forward two horse race between defending champions, Young Africans and Azam. The two league giants who have exchanged between themselves the last three titles were cruising into comfortable victories while Simba appeared on the brink of another meltdown. At one point, Yanga and Azam had pulled away by a six point lead. Simba were left drowning in stalemates, their fans moaning, throwing the leadership into confusion. The knee-jerk reaction of axing their head coach Dylan Kerr plus dismantling the entire technical bench, came as no surprise. While it has become a norm for Simba to sack coaches, this time around the decision to part ways with Kerr triggered fears of bowing out of the title race very early. Fast track to this week, with only 17 rounds played, Simba fans increasingly believe that this is their time to end silverware drought. Four wins in a row since Jackson Mayanja took over, has changed everything. Belief, hope and optimism have permeated the air in Msimbazi over what they call a title momentum. If Simba can maintain their winning ways, then we are in for a three horse title race this season. But before we get too excited over a possible three horse race, we need to weigh down all facts and scenarios on the ground. It is true Simba have won four matches in a row, but there is nothing too exciting about that. All the four games were played at the National Stadium where Simba and Yanga rarely drop points unless if they are playing against Azam or facing each other. Therefore, a four-match winning streak in Dar does not tell us anything new about Simba. Yanga have dropped four points after losing away to Coastal Union and settling for a draw with Prisons at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya. The dropped points have boosted Simba to stay within touching distance of Azam and Yanga hence the optimism of a three-horse title race. Yanga fans and their coach Hans van Pluijm can moan in frustration but in reality, many tend to overlook the fact that both Simba and Yanga have struggled on the road. Away from their comfort zone of Dar, the two giants have not dropped points on more than two occasions. In November and December, Simba played four away matches and only won one. They drew with Mwadui and Toto Africa, lost to Tanzania Prisons and defeated Mbeya City. At the same time, Yanga were enjoying a fine run at home. They got huge victories over Stand United, Mbeya City and Toto Africa. But that has since changed with two away games. Azam have two games in hand which will be played within a short time. If they win the two matches they will be six points clear of Simba and five more ahead of Yanga. Azam have been steady on the road having drawn only once. If they can maintain their away form, then they are better placed in what could be potentially riveting season. It is too early to go into title permutation but based on the 17 rounds played so far, the destiny of the title race could be decided by points picked on the road away from Dar. Ends