The Tanzanian top tier league kicked off over the weekend at various venues across the country.

Defending champions Yanga started off to a flying start with a 2-0 thumping of Tanga based Coastal Union to go top.

Yanga 2-0 Coastal Union.

Simon Happygod Msuva and Zimbabwean new signing Donald Ngoma were both on target as the Jangwani side Young Africans started their title defence on a good note by beating Tanga side Coastal Union 2-0.

After missing two open clear cut chances,the former Mbeya City striker netted Yanga’s first goal in the 7th minute before Zimbabwean Donald Ngoma scored the second in the 42nd minute after Unions defender Rumba Lui Sued missed an aerial ball only to land on the strikers feet after an aerial tussle with Yanga’s Amiss  Tambwe.

Azam 2-1 Tanzania Prisons

Money bags Azam FC had to stretch to the limit to edge out hard fighting Tanzania Prisons 2-1 in at the Chamazi sports Complex in Mbagala,Dar is Salaam.

Both sides attacked and defended with equal profiency in the opening half

kipre Tcheche rounded off Mohammed Yusuf in the Prisons goal and calmly smashed the ball for a 1-0 lead.Skillful winger Farid Musa who stirred in the Cecafa Kagame cup scored the second but midfielder Jeremiah Juma reduced the defence it for a nerve breaking last minute tussle where the midfield of Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza together with Mudathir Yahya came to test with that of Prisons made up of Juma Seif and Zam Kuffu.the latter showing great dominance.

Azam’s new signing Allan Wanga missed three goal scoring attempts  in the second half.

“We definitely deserved to come out victorious.we created many chances in the first half and even missed three chances”Hall told IPP Media in Dar es Salaam.

Prisons Assistant coach Henry Boimanda said his team played well in the match but his defense cost him the points.

In other matches played across the country,Dar giants Sumba  edged out another Coastal side African Sports 0-1 in a match played at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga while newcomers MajiMaji FC hit JKT Ruvu 1-0.

Mbeya City were shocked at their Sokoine Backyard when they fell 0-1 to visiting cane cutters Kagera Sugar at the Sokoine Stadium.

Shinyanga fans were a dissapointed lot as they left the Kambarage Stadium depleted with a 0-1 loss at the hands of another Sugar producing club Mtibwa Sugar.

At the lakeside City of Mwanza,new comers Toto African silenced another newcomer Mwadui FC 1-0 while Ndanda FC battled to a 1-1 draw with Mgambo JKT

Action resumes on Wednesday 16th with a total of seven matches.

Defending champions Yanga welcomes Mbeya side Tanzania Prisons while Sumba SC visit Mgambo JKT.

Stand United will welcome Azam in Shinyanga while Toto African will seek to make it two wins in a row with a clash against Morogoro side Mtibwa Sugar at the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.

Ndanda FC will battle it out with Coastal Union while MajiMaji will take on Kagera Sugar.

On Thursday,one match will be played, Mwadui FC will take on African Sports in Shinyanga

Austin Oduor

talking African football