Mbeya/Tabora. Young Africans SC (Yanga) and Simba SC sent strong messages in the penultimate rounds of the NBC Premier League on Wednesday, June 18, by registering identical 5-0 victories to keep the title race finely poised.
In Mbeya, Yanga solidified their grip on the league summit with a historic triumph over Tanzania Prisons at Sokoine Stadium, becoming the team with the most away wins in a single season—14 wins and one draw from 15 matches.
The Jangwani giants now lead Simba by a solitary point, with just two games left to conclude the season.
Simultaneously, in Tabora, Simba brushed aside already relegated KenGold with a commanding display, refusing to loosen their chase.
The Reds of Msimbazi remain firmly in pursuit, having notched their 13th away victory of the campaign, keeping pressure on the leaders.
At Sokoine, Prisons’ survival hopes took a severe dent as they collapsed under Yanga’s intensity. Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra enjoyed a largely untroubled outing, while his opposite number, Sebusebu Samson, endured a torrid afternoon.
The damage began in the 33rd minute when Mudathir Yahya volleyed home a low cross from Isra Mwenda.
Two minutes later, Clatous Chama—introduced in the 22nd minute following an injury to Prince Dube—doubled the lead with a deft finish.
Yanga returned from the break determined to inflict further damage. In the 58th minute, Pacome Zouzoua capitalised on a misjudged clearance by Prisons’ skipper Jumanne Elfadhir to make it three.
Six minutes later, Isra Mwenda added a fourth with a glancing header from Chadrack Boka’s delivery.
Pacome completed the rout in the 75th minute, dispossessing Dotto Shaban before slotting in his second of the day and Yanga’s fifth—marking Prisons’ heaviest defeat under coach Aman Josiah.
The Mbeya-based side remain 13th on the table with 30 points, and their survival will now hinge on their final outing away to Singida Black Stars.
Over in Tabora, Simba’s hunger was evident from the outset. In-form winger Kibu Denis netted in the 20th minute following a deflected clearance and two minutes later, turned provider for Mpanzu to finish from close range.
The mercurial Denis then returned to the scoresheet in the 25th minute, turning in a pass from league top scorer Charles Jean Ahoua.
Ateba added the fourth in the 36th minute, rifling home a delivery from Mpanzu to reach 13 goals for the season.
Ahoua sealed the emphatic win in the 75th minute after a well-weighted assist from substitute Steven Mukwala—his 16th goal of the campaign, pulling ahead of Yanga’s Dube and Clement Mzize (each on 13).
KenGold managed to resist further humiliation after the break, holding Simba scoreless in the second half despite multiple substitutions by both sides.
Their relegation had already been confirmed, and the Tabora-based side appeared intent on damage limitation.
Azam FC matched the dominant performances of the title contenders with a 5-0 demolition of Tabora United. Goals from Feisal Sopu (11’), Rodgers Sillah (17’, 30’), Frank Nado (45’+1), and Awesu Saadun (89’) ensured the Chamazi-based side remained within striking distance, albeit mathematically out of the title race.
Other results
In Dodoma, Singida Black Stars narrowly defeated Dodoma Jiji 2-1, courtesy of early goals from Arthur (1’) and Sowah (6’ penalty). Kipagwile pulled one back for the hosts via a 41st-minute penalty, but the comeback proved insufficient.
Coastal Union breathed life into their survival hopes with a crucial 1-0 win over Fountain Gate. Kikoti converted a 60th-minute penalty to secure all three points.
In Kigoma, Mashujaa FC and KMC FC played to a 1-1 draw. Mundhir opened the scoring for the hosts in the 11th minute, only for Akram Mhina to salvage a late equaliser in the 90th minute.
Pamba Jiji edged JKT Tanzania 1-0 thanks to a 40th-minute strike from Zabona, strengthening their mid-table finish.
Meanwhile, in Lindi, Namungo FC and Kagera Sugar played out a goalless draw. The result confirmed Kagera’s relegation, ending a turbulent campaign marked by a string of poor performances.
