Gonçalves credits fast start in win

ZANZIBAR: YOUNG Africans SC Head Coach, Pedro Gonçalves, praised his side’s maturity after their 2-1 victory over Azam FC in the Union Cup semi-final at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, crediting their early intensity for setting up the win.

Young Africans struck twice in the first half to take control of the contest, with Prince Dube opening the scoring in the ninth minute before Maxi Nzengeli doubled the lead in the 25th minute, as Yanga dictated the tempo from the outset.

Azam’s consolation goal was scored by Feisal Salum in the 78th minute. Gonçalves said the fast start was central to the outcome, with his side quickly imposing its game plan on its opponents.

“We started with the right intensity and interpreted the demands of the match very well,” he said, pointing to a fast and purposeful opening that allowed Yanga to take control and dictate the tempo early on.

The Portuguese tactician emphasised that his philosophy extends beyond possession, highlighting structure and discipline in all phases.

“Control for us is not only about having the ball, but also about how we organise ourselves without it,” he explained, underlining the balance between attacking play and defensive responsibility. He was particularly encouraged by the team’s growing tactical awareness.

“The team showed a strong understanding of the game, which is something we are working hard to build,” Gonçalves noted, as this understanding translated into fluid attacking movement and several scoring opportunities.

“We created enough chances to score more, which reflects the quality of our approach,” he added.

Despite their dominance, the match carried the emotional intensity expected of a derby.

Gonçalves acknowledged the challenge of maintaining composure, saying: “Derbies bring emotion, but we must always balance that with discipline and concentration.”

He also reflected on the goal conceded, describing it as an unusual moment brought about by sustained pressure.

“We conceded a strange goal, but it came from sustained pressure and we must manage those moments better,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of focus after the break, adding: “In the second half, maintaining focus was key, especially when the game became more intense.”

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In the end, he was satisfied with the outcome. “We stayed composed and achieved what we came for.” On the other side, Ibenge offered a candid assessment of Azam’s performance, particularly in the first half.

“We played the first half like a friendly, while they played it like a semi-final that made the difference,” he admitted.

“We started very badly, we conceded early and gave them too many easy balls,” he added, pointing to costly errors in possession.

He reiterated the importance of physical battles, saying: “In matches like this, the team that wins the most duels usually wins the game.”

Azam’s inability to retain possession played into Yanga’s strengths.

“When you face a team strong on counterattacks, you simply cannot afford to give the ball away,” Ibenge said, noting that the opponents “punished us quickly and could have scored even more in the first half.”

After the interval, Azam showed improvement following tactical adjustments.

“We changed the system, added two strikers, and managed to get back into the game, but it was not enough,” he said after his side reduced the deficit.

Despite the defeat, Ibenge remained philosophical, viewing it as a learning opportunity. “You learn a lot when you lose, and today we have learned important lessons,” he stated.