See golden boot race or playoff scare today

A LONG, action-packed 2022/23 Premier League season which began on August 17th last year, climaxes today with all 16 teams involved at various venues countrywide.

The long trip has been very good to the teams that won tickets to represent the country in the continental level competitions and those that survived relegation as they are sure to play again next season.

On the other hand, the race was thorny to Polisi Tanzania and Ruvu Shooting, who have fallen into relegation jaws, they are demoted to Championship next season.

Heading to a climax, already Young Africans have defended their league title and they, together with Simba, represent the country in the CAF Champions League while Azam and Singida Big Stars who are placed 3rd and 4th respectively, have both grabbed a ticket to play in the Confederation Cup competition.

But the much focus in today’s last games will be on who picks the golden boot award. It is a two-horse race involving current top goal scorer, Fiston Mayele (Yanga) and Saidi Ntibazonkiza (Simba), with a goal difference. Mayele has netted 16 goals while Ntibazonkiza fired home 15 goals making the chase tough as fans have to wait until the end of 90 minutes to see who wins it.

The two championship league sides are keenly waiting to know their opponents in the two-legged playoff encounters, fully aware that this is the golden chance for them to meander into the top-flight league.

As it stands, KMC and Mbeya City are prone to the playoffs as they occupy the 14th and 13th slots. Interestingly, the two teams will meet today at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Sumbawanga in a tense clash as the both sides would prefer to avoid facing the Championship team, Mashujaa in the play-offs.

After the exit of Polisi Tanzania and Ruvu Shooting, another team from the top-flight league will be demoted to the championship if it fails to shine in the play-off.