Zanzibar Premier League side, Mlandege FC have retained the Mapinduzi Cup.

Coach Jaala Abdallah Salim’s side rose to the occasion to outclass Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC 1-0 in the final played at the refurbished Amaan Stadium on Saturday evening.

Going into the final Mlandege had seen off Rwanda’s APR FC, while Simba SC ejected Singinda Fountain Gate FC at the semi final stage.

Ugandan player Joseph Akandwanaho who joined Mlandege FC few days ago netted the lone goal after 54 minutes when he turned defenders inside out and slotting the ball past the Simba SC goalkeeper.

Simba SC tried to fight back strongly to level matters, but the Zanzibar team cheered on by the home fans stood firm till the final whistle. It was all celebrations at the end of the match which was also witnessed by the Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi.

The winners who finished the tournament unbeaten received a cash prize of Tanzania shillings 100 million, while Simba SC who are also in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League bagged Tanzania Shillings 70 million.

The Mapinduzi Cup is an annual tournament organised by the government of Zanzibar together with the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF). The 2024 Mapinduzi Cup attracted teams from Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi.

Simba SC have qualified for the 2024 Mapinduzi Cup final where they will face Cup holders Mlandege FC

The Tazania Premier League giants weer on the verge of defeat against Singida Fountain Gate FC, before Fabrice Ngoma netted equalizer to make it 1-1 in the seven minute of added time.

Elvis Rupia had given Singida Fountain Gate FC, last year’s runners-up the lead after only 11 minutes, but Simba SC didnot give up and continued to push forward before making it 1-1 at the Amaan Stadium on Wednesday.

Simba SC players sharper during the spot-kicks winning 3-2. It was all celebrations as the Simba SC fans as their players celebrated on the picth.

Simba will now face Mlandege FC in the final on Saturday at the Amaan Stadium.

The Mapinduzi Cup is organised by the government of Zanzibar together with the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF). APR FC (Rwada), Jamus FC (South Sudan) and Burundi’s Vital’O were the guest sides that took part in the tournament this year.

Zanzibar Premier League side, Mlandege FC have stormed the final of the 2024 Mapinduzi Cup after ejecting APR FC on Tuesday.

The Mapinduzi Cup holders battled to a goalless draw after 90 minutes against the Rwanda giants, and managed to win 4-2 during spot-kicks at the Amaan Stadium.

APR, the Rwanda Premier League reigning champions had caused shock waves in the tournment ejecting Young Africans SC 3-1 at the quarter final stage.

Jaala Abdallah Salim, the Mlandege coach said he was happy the players had focused well and won the game. « APR was a strong team, but we organised our team well to counter them, « added happy Salim whose team has only won the trophy once.

Action will return on Wednesday when Tanzania Premier League sides Simba SC and Singida Fountain Gate FC clash in the second semi final. Simba SC who have lifted the trophy three times ejected Jamhuri SC 1-0, while Singida Fountain Gate FC saw off Azam FC 2-1 at the smei-final stage on Monday.

The Mapinduzi Cup is organised by the government of Zanzibar and the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF). The 2024 tournament attracted 12 teams from Zanzibar, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda.

Mlandege FC and Rwanda’s APR have qualified for the semi final stage at the on-going 2024 Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar.

After a hotly contested battle in the first quarter final match that ended goalless, Mlandege FC were sharper from the spot as they edged fellow Zanzibar Premier League side 3-2 on penalties at the Amaan Stadium.

The second quarter final stage watched by a big crowd saw Young Africans SC take the lead after 23 minutes through Jesus Loloko.

But the Rwanda Premier League reigning champions didnot loose focus and kept pushing forward and defending in numbers. At the stroke of half time Soulei Sanda leveled matters for APR FC.

Five minutes after recess APR FC made it 2-1 after Victor Mbaoma netted from the spot after the referee pointed for a penalty after a bad tackle in the box. As the Young Africans Sc side tried to push forward, APR showed lots of dominance in the midfield and added the third goal through substitute Eldin Sharaf Shaiboub after 79 minutes.

The Young Africans SC team tried to attack in numbers, but failed to beat the APR FC defending line. APR FC will now face Mlandege FC in the the first semi final clash on January 10th, 2024.

Action returns on Monday with Singida Fountain Gate FC facing Azam FC, while Simba SC battle Jamhuri SC in the other quarter final matches.

The Mapinduzi Cup which is held every year is organised by the government of Zanzibar together with the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF).