Dar es Salaam. Simba SC’s shot-stopper, Moussa Camara, has been crowned the Best Goalkeeper of the 2024-2025 NBC Premier League season, after keeping 19 clean sheets in his debut campaign since joining from Horoya AC of Guinea.
Camara outshone his biggest rival, Djigui Diarra of Yanga SC, who missed the final league match against Dodoma Jiji at New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, with Aboutwalib Mshery featuring in goal instead.
Diarra missed out on the accolade for the second consecutive season, after finishing the 2023-2024 campaign with 14 clean sheets, losing to Congolese keeper Ley Matampi of Coastal Union who had 15.
Interestingly, Matampi had joined Coastal Union on August 31, 2023, from JS Bazano of DR Congo, but left the club on December 10, 2024, via mutual consent, despite his contract running until the end of the season.
Prisons and fountain gate headed for play-offs
Tanzania Prisons and Fountain Gate will battle it out in the relegation play-offs after finishing 13th and 14th respectively in the 2024-2025 season. The first leg of the play-off is scheduled for June 25, 2025, with the return leg on June 29, 2025.
Prisons, who had previously suffered a 5-0 thrashing by Yanga, ended their season with a dramatic 3-3 away draw against Singida Black Stars at CCM Liti Stadium.
Singida’s goals came from Serge Pokou (43’), Marouf Tchakei (45’) and Jonathan Sowah (47’), while Prisons responded through Ismail Ally (63’, 76’ pen) and Mussa (84’).
With only 8 wins, 7 draws, and 15 losses, Prisons finished with 31 points in 13th place.
Fountain Gate, on the other hand, lost 3-2 at home in Babati to Azam FC. The goals for Azam came from Zidane Sereri (3’) and an own goal by Jackson Shiga (23’), before Elie Mokono pulled one back with a penalty (45’). Abdul Suleiman ‘Sopu’ sealed the win with a penalty in the 90th minute.
Fountain Gate ended the season with 29 points, finishing 14th.
The loser of the Prisons vs Fountain Gate clash will face Stand United, who eliminated Geita Gold with a 4-2 aggregate, in a final play-off for a spot in next season’s top-flight league.
Kariakoo derby to decide the champion
The fierce rivals Yanga SC and Simba SC will go head-to-head in the final match of the season – the highly anticipated Kariakoo Derby on Wednesday, June 25, to decide the winner of the 2024-2025 NBC Premier League.
Simba secured a 1-0 away win against KMC, courtesy of Steven Mukwala’s 17th-minute strike, taking them to 78 points in second place.
Meanwhile, Yanga, chasing a fourth consecutive league title, thrashed Dodoma Jiji 5-0 at New Amaan Complex.
The goals came from Clatous Chama (4’), Duke Abuya (50’), Ibrahim Hamad ‘Bacca’ (61’), an own goal by Joash Onyango, and Maxi Mpia Nzengeli.
Yanga remain on top with 79 points, just one ahead of Simba, making the derby a title decider.
Yanga only needs a draw or a win to be crowned champions, while Simba must win to snatch the trophy.
Other final day results
Namungo FC 5-0 KenGold
Scorers: Meddie Kagere (7’, 29’), Hassan Kabunda (41’), Erasto Nyoni (45’), Salehe Karabaka (90’)
Coastal Union 1-1 Tabora United
Scorers: Emmanuel Mwanengo (53’) – Tabora, Lucas Kikoti (90’ pen) – Coastal
Mashujaa FC 0-0 JKT Tanzania
Pamba Jiji 1-1 KMC
Scorers: Mathew Momanyi (34’) – Pamba, Redemtus Mussa (84’) – KMC
