admin
Tanzania Premier League side, Azam FC and Mlandege FC (Zanzibar) have qualified for the semi final stage at the on-going Mapinduzi Cup 2023 in Zanzibar.
Azam FC who kick started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Malindi SC on January 3rd, 2023 stopped Jamhuri FC 3-0 in their second Group A match played on Thursday at the Amaan Stadium.
Ismail Aziz netted the opening goal for Azam FC after 34 minutes, and Abdul Sopu scored two penalties to make sure his team got a better goal difference to qualify for the semi final ahead of Malindi SC who also finished with four points in the group.
Zanzibar Premier League side Mlandege FC also secured their place in the semi final after Simba SC beat KVZ FC 1-0 in a Group C match played later.
Micheal Joseph scored for Simba SC after 41 minutes, but the win was not enough for the 2022 champions who had already lost their opening match 1-0 to Mlandege. The Simba SC team finished with three points, while Mlandege topped the group with four points.
Action continues on Friday with Namungo FC facing the guest side from Burundi Aigle Noir in a Group D match, while Young Africans SC battle Singida Big Stars in a match which will decide who qualifies from Group B.
The tournament has attracted 12 teams and the top teams in each of the four groups will qualify for the semi finals. The final will be played on January 13th.
The Mapinduzi Cup is a competition to celebrate the anniversary of the revolution of Zanzibar.
Azam FC have won the Mapinduzi Cup a record five times (2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019), while Simba SC lifted the title in 2011, 2015 and 2022.
Young Africans SC and Mtibwa Sugar have each won the title twice, while Zanzibar sides Jamhuri FC, Polisi SC, KMKM SC, Mafunzo FC, Malindi FC, Miembeni FC and Ugandan sides KCC FC and URA FC have lifted the title once.
