TANZANIA Prisons FC’s winless streak extended to five matches after posting a frustrating 0-0 draw with Kagera Sugar at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya on Monday.

Ahmad Ally, Prisons’ head coach, attributed the team’s struggles to players prioritizing impressing potential suitors for next season’s transfers.

“This season’s league has become very challenging because every player is fighting to be noticed for next season’s transfer window signings,” Ally explained.

The tactician noted: “This makes the matches difficult as players are putting in extra effort to showcase themselves in the market.”

Despite the winless run, Prisons remain surprisingly comfortable in the top six of the NBC Premier League table.

“Even though we haven’t won in five games, the players have done well,” Ally said, acknowledging the positive aspect of their position.

Ally remarked: “The league is becoming increasingly competitive with every team playing at a similar level. There’s no significant power disparity, even for our win against Simba SC since every game requires tactical adjustments.”

Ally pointed out missed opportunities as the key factor in the stalemate against Kagera Sugar, saying: “We had good scoring chances, but we failed to convert them. Kagera Sugar opted for a defensive approach throughout the match.”

Kagera Sugar’s head coach, Fredi Felix ‘Minziro', admitted their plan to replicate their previous 0-3  victory against Tabora United was thwarted by Prisons’ resilience.

“We created several opportunities, but we weren’t clinical enough, we’ll learn from our mistakes and make adjustments before the next league match,” Minziro said.

Tanzania Prisons continue to hold their ground in the NBC Premier League, currently sitting sixth with 31 points after 24 matches. Their record boasts seven wins, 10 draws, and seven losses.

The team has displayed a balanced performance on the pitch, scoring 25 goals while conceding 26.

Striker Samson Mbangula has been instrumental in Prisons' offense, leading the team’s scoring charts with eight goals.

Meanwhile, the Mbeya squad's recent opponent, Kagera Sugar, sitting seventh, finds itself just below the former.

Kagera Sugar has managed 29 points with six wins, 11 draws, and seven losses in their 24 matches played so far

The tight contest reflects the growing competitiveness of the NBC Premier League, where teams are increasingly focused on tactical strategy and individual player performance.

While Prisons remain in contention for a top-five finish, Ally’s concerns highlight the potential challenges a transfer-focused mentality can pose for a team’s short-term results.