Azam FC
Pacemakers Azam FC have another tricky premiership return leg assignment against hosts Ruvu Shooting to be played at the Mabatini venue in Mlandizi this afternoon.
Completely safe from relegation woes, the host side has nothing to lose with pride being their top rated agenda ahead of today’s clash.
However, the visitors have a completely different focus as they need an ultimate victory to extend gap at the top of the standings table enroute to win their maiden premiership title since winning promotion in 2008 season.
Notching maximum points is the team’s target that would ease their title winning campaign that is close to an end but with huge pressure being mounted by holders Young Africans.
Perched at the top of the standings table, Azam have a massive four-goal cushion over Yanga as they kick off today’s game that will possibly keep them busy to seek three more valuable points to wind u[p the season’s most sought over mission.
While Yanga have a ceiling of attaining 58 points should they post victories in the rest of their three league assignments, Azam boast of the highest ceiling in excess of 60, 62 to be exact.
Both Yanga and Azam are walking on tight rope but the later would not like to blow their massive advantage at this stage of the league when every point count.
However, Azam will have to avoid any kind of complacency in all of the three remaining fixtures including today’s as title destiny might prove elusive.
Shooting have in most cases prove hard to beat at their backyard and Azam are certainly aware of this following a narrow 1-0 victory realized during their previous season’s return leg at the same venue.
Highly affected by the departure of their coach Charles Boniface at the start of the second half of the season, Shooting have struggled to match with form since January but have been extremely stout at home.
The Azam-Shooting clash is the only one on the premiership fixture this afternoon ahead of the penultimate round that kicks off on Saturday.
Shooting will have to make to do with their available squad as three key players have been ruled out of today’s tie. The trio, Ibrahim Susan ‘Chogo’, Juma Seif ‘Kijiko’ and Cosmas Lewis has been suspended due to misconduct according to club officials.
After today’s tie Azam will have to travel all the way to the Southern Highland’s city of Mbeya where they are lined up against hard to beat side, Mbeya City this weekend. Azam’s next opponent after Shooting has the credentials as one of the most formidable side despite featuring in the premiership for the first time after gaining promotion.
Azam knows for sure if they cannot win today’s game then searching for three priceless points at the hands of Mbeya City will be a daunting task.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
No Comment to " Azam out for priceless win "