Yanga lift Shield again

DAR ES SALAAM: YOUNG Africans retained the Community Shield with a 1-0 win over Simba, thanks to a second-half goal that made the difference in a tense and closely contested Dar Derby at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

In the 54th minute, Pacome Zouzoua etched his name into the headlines, capitalising on a misjudged clearance by Simba’s goalkeeper Moussa Camara.

The loose ball fell kindly for the Young Africans forward, who stood unmarked at the edge of the area and guided it firmly into the net.

The match opened under a charged atmosphere, with both sets of fans raising a wall of sound that mirrored the pressure on the pitch. Simba, wearing their red strip, pushed early.

The 21st minute brought the first real scare for Young Africans when Kibu Dennis was brought down just outside the box by Aziz Andabwile.

Jean Charles Ahoua stood over the ball, curling a free-kick that found Abdulrazack Hamza rising above the line.

His bullet header was sharp, but Djigui Diarra was sharper, parrying the effort with swift reflexes. Just a minute later, Simba returned again with purpose.

Kibu Dennis and Steven Mukwala exchanged quick passes through the box, slicing through the Young Africans backline. Kibu Dennis broke free, facing Diarra in a direct duel.

The Simba attacker unleashed a low drive, but once again, Diarra closed down space and blocked with his frame, keeping his net untouched.

Young Africans, under pressure but never out of control, carved their first clear chance in the 38th minute.

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Maxi Mpia Nzengeli advanced down the left flank, pulling a measured cross into the area. Andabwile, rising at the near post, flicked it toward Prince Dube.

The forward’s closerange effort was firm but straight at Camara, who collected without a fuss. As the half neared its close, Simba surged again.

Right-back Shomari Kapombe broke free on the overlap, drawing a one-on-one with Diarra.

He struck low, grass-level and goalbound but again Diarra’s quick foot movement was enough to turn it away, denying Simba yet again.

The teams walked into the tunnel goalless, but the balance tilted early in the second half.

A seemingly routine clearance from Camara lost direction and purpose, drifting into the heart of Simba’s defensive third.

Zouzoua, alert to the moment, took two steps and struck it with confidence.

The net rippled and Young Africans found the lead they would not relinquish. Simba threw bodies forward as the minutes drained away.

The most threatening came near the final whistle, a long cross met by Kibu Dennis, whose header looked destined for the corner.

Diarra rose again, fingertips guiding the ball over the bar.

One final surge followed a Kapombe delivery met by Ahoua’s diving header. Again, Diarra was there, preserving the score line and stamping his mark on the match.

At the final whistle, it was the yellow and green of Young Africans who remained standing after a narrow margin, but a telling one enough to raise the Community Shield once again