NBC Premier League heats up after Pamba Jiji, JKT Tanzania secure crucial wins

Action in the NBC Premier League resumed on Thursday with three matches played across different venues in Tanzania, producing crucial results that continue to shape both the title race and the relegation battle.

At the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium, hosts Fountain Gate FC suffered a 1-2 defeat against Pamba Jiji FC in a match where all goals were scored in the first half. The visitors struck first in the 17th minute through Abdoulaye Camara, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to give Pamba Jiji an early lead.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Azam Sports (@azamtvsports)

Fountain Gate responded in the 34th minute when Chukwunonye Macdonald found the back of the net to level the score, giving the home side hope of turning the match around. However, just a minute before the halftime whistle, John Nakibinge restored Pamba Jiji’s advantage, finishing off a well-worked move to make it 2-1.

The second half saw both teams push for goals, with coaches Freddy Felix Minziro of Fountain Gate and Francis Baraza of Pamba Jiji making several tactical substitutions. Despite the changes, neither side managed to find the net again. The match remained closely contested, with possession statistics slightly favoring Pamba Jiji at 51 percent compared to Fountain Gate’s 49 percent.

The result leaves Fountain Gate in 13th place with 19 points from 20 matches, having recorded five wins, six draws, and 11 defeats. They remain in the relegation playoff zone and face increasing pressure to improve their form. Meanwhile, Pamba Jiji climb to fifth place with 29 points, boasting seven wins, eight draws, and five losses, strengthening their push for a top-four finish.

In another fixture at the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium, JKT Tanzania secured a narrow but vital 1-0 victory over KMC FC. Valentino Mashaka scored the decisive goal in the 12th minute, giving the home side an early advantage that they successfully defended for the remainder of the match.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Azam Sports (@azamtvsports)

The win boosts JKT Tanzania into fourth place with 32 points from 20 matches, keeping them firmly in contention for a CAF Confederation Cup spot next season. They have now recorded eight wins, eight draws, and four defeats, underlining their consistency this campaign.

For KMC FC, the defeat deepens their struggles at the bottom of the table. They remain in 16th position with just two wins, three draws, and 15 losses, making them strong candidates for relegation. Their upcoming fixtures present an even tougher challenge, including matches against Young Africans SC, Mtibwa Sugar, and a crucial clash against Fountain Gate.

At the Sokoine Stadium, Mbeya City FC played out a tightly contested encounter against Mashujaa FC that ended with a 0-0 draw. Both teams created numerous chances, with Mbeya City registering 15 shots compared to Mashujaa’s 12, while each side managed four shots on target.

Possession slightly favored Mbeya City at 53 percent, but neither team managed to convert their chances into goals in what proved to be a balanced and competitive match. Mbeya City remain in 14th place with 18 points from 20 matches, sitting in the relegation playoff zone with five wins, four draws, and 10 losses.

Mashujaa FC, on the other hand, occupy 11th position with 22 points, having secured four wins, 10 draws, and six defeats so far this season.

The league continues today with more fixtures expected to have significant implications. Tanzania Prisons will host TRA United at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya, with kickoff scheduled for 16:00 EAT. TRA United sit seventh with 27 points, while Tanzania Prisons are struggling in 15th place with 14 points and are fighting to avoid relegation.

Later in the evening, Dodoma Jiji FC will face Namungo FC at the Jamhuri Stadium in a mid table clash. Dodoma Jiji are eighth with 24 points, while Namungo sit 10th with 22 points, making the encounter crucial for both sides as they aim to climb the standings.

Updated NBC Premier League table

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by NBC Premier League 🇹🇿 (@ligikuu)