Dar dances to beat of Yanga Day

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Sun rose over the city with a promise and the promise was green and yellow.

From the gates of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to the heart of the city streets, the colours of Young Africans SC painted a spectacular canvas, as thousands flocked to celebrate the much-anticipated Yanga Day.

The day unfolded with performances from Zuchu, D Voice and DJ Ally B, each leaving a strong mark through their unique styles and powerful connection with the audience but let’s start with the main card artists Zuchu.

With a graceful step and a spark of rhythm, she launched into her set a blend of vocals, dance and presence that only she could deliver. ‘Amanda’ came first, sweet and sharp, followed by ‘Siendi’, which pulled the audience into an emotional sway. Then came ‘Honey’ and with it, full crowd engagement phones in the air, voices rising and feet moving.

Zuchu performed not just with precision but also with a kind of joy that rippled through the stands.

She owned the stage and in those moments, the stadium belonged to her. The stage transformed with each song she performed, creating energy and a sense of connection that resonated deeply with the audience.

Yanga Day was defined with a number of activities – not only the evening but the set up from the banners flapped in the morning breeze, motorcyclists revved in procession and cars adorned in the club’s colours formed a jubilant convoy heading towards the stadium.

It was a parade of pride and passion from toddlers on shoulders to elders wrapped in club jerseys all converging on one destination: the grand climax of a week-long celebration filled with community work and humanitarian efforts.

Security forces were wellpositioned and in high alert, but the day was drenched not in tension, but in cheer and togetherness. The sea of supporters, waving flags and singing songs, brought Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to life long before the first note of music played.

And what music it was.

From early on, the stage pulsed with energy. Fans in the standing terraces danced tirelessly to the rhythm of Singeli, Tanzania’s home-grown, high-octane genre. Pateni and the charismatic Meja Kunta ignited the crowd with blistering performances, their beats bouncing off the stadium walls and into the hearts of thousands.

As the sun dipped towards the horizon, the energy only grew stronger. Iconic Bongo Flava star Dully Sykes graced the stage with his signature swagger, thrilling fans with a set that blended nostalgia with raw star power.

Then came DJ Ally B, whose mixes drew smiles and footwork in equal measure. His transitions, sharp and smooth, turned the stadium into one giant dance floor.

But the real eruption came when D Voice burst onto the scene.

Clad in green and yellow, D Voice didn’t just take the stage he claimed it. Entering from the stands with his crew, his set was as much a performance as it was a dance-off. When he performed his hit track ‘Ganda’, the crowd responded in kind singing, dancing and roaring in unison.

The moment reached fever pitch when Yanga stars Pacome Zouzoua and Mohamed Hussein joined the performance, showcasing not just their footwork on the pitch, but off it too. Their dance moves were met with deafening cheers fans revelled in the rare chance to see their heroes let loose and join the party.

As the music faded and the applause lingered, attention turned to the eagerly awaited unveiling of the 2025/2026 Yanga squad. One by one, the players were introduced, their names echoing through the stadium, greeted by chants and flashes of camera phones.

Then came the moment that caught even the most seasoned fans off guard.

As the final player name echoed across the stadium and applause simmered, a giant flower structure was rolled onto the stage. The crowd stood still, curious. The petals slowly unfolded and from its heart, Zuchu rose, poised, radiant, and ready to take over the night.