Biashara coach Baraza means business as Tanzanian league readies for kickoff

Mkalla wa Mwambodze  in Nairobi

Kenyan gaffer Francis Baraza is predicting a tougher season in the Tanzania Premier League as the the number of teams in the top-tier league has been reduced to 18 from 20.

The Biashara United coach guided his team to a ninth place finish in his maiden season and will be aiming to go one step better.

The former KPL 2006 winning coach with Sony Sugar expressed his joy for the new challenge in a foreign league where he says he’s learned a lot of lessons moving to the new season.

“I joined the team when it had many challenges but I thank God who has enabled me and my assistants, through the support of the management, to stabilize the ship. But this coming season will be much harder given that the number of participating teams has been reduced,” said Baraza.

Assisted by Marwa Chamberi the duo has been with the side since the middle of the first round last season.

Baraza last coached Chemelil Sugar in the KPL before crossing the border while Chamberi , his former player, was with Sony Sugar as a trainer and has revealed how he tried so hard to sign Kenyan players but in vain.

“I have followed a number of players since I was in Kenya but agreeing personal terms and some issues with their contracts jeopardized my plans,”added the coach.

It’s obvious that the Mara-based side aims to start the new campaign strongly, and have managed to recruit two players on free transfers.

Last week they acquired the services of Ugandan duo Cleo Ssetubba and Joseph Zziwa on two-year deals each, in preparation for the 2020/21 Tanzania Mainland League.

Ssetubban, a former URA player in Uganda was a free agent after his former side Sony Sugar let most of their players leave due to breach of contract.

The sugar millers were financially crippled and could not honour Kenyan Premier League matches, and as a result were relegated.

His colleague Zziwa, was at Express FC and opted against extending his stay.

The Tanzania season is set to start on September 9 and most teams including perennial rivals Yanga SC and champions Simba SC have been busy rebuilding to ensure they can realise their set objectives.

Biashara United managed to collect 12 wins, 14 draws and 12 losses in the 38 matches played in the concluded season to finish ninth on the table with 50 points and Baraza is proud of that record given that he joined the team while  they were at position 17.