DRC: IT IS a sign of heavy breath for Young Africans after Prince Dube made a late comeback for his charges against TP Mazembe in the CAF Champions’ League Group A match at Lubumbashi on Saturday.
Dube’s dramatic goal came in the dying moments of the match, as he capitalized on a rebound from TP Mazembe goalkeeper Aliou Faty.
The ball had been denied by Faty following a thunderous strike from Clement Mzize, and Dube was quick to pounce, steering it into the net with pinpoint accuracy.
The Mazembe defence was left in shock, as they had been waiting for the referee’s whistle to signal the end of the match.
In an emotional display, Dube fell to his knees in the middle of the pitch, hands covering his face, tears of joy streaming down his cheeks – a powerful moment that symbolized Yanga’s renewed hopes of advancing beyond the group stages.
Despite the late equalizer, Yanga still find themselves at the bottom of the group with just one point. However, with three matches remaining, their chances remain alive.
A strong finish could see them accumulate nine points, and with the additional point from this match, they could reach a total of 10.
While the road ahead remains challenging, the draw from this crucial goal has reignited their determination, and the team is now fully focused on earning their place in the knockout rounds.
For TP Mazembe, the draw left them third in the group standings, with just two points. A win would have been a massive boost for the team, but the late comeback from Yanga dashed their hopes, leaving their mathematical chances of progressing uncertain.
At the top of the group, Al Hilal leads with six points, followed by MC Alger with four points. The two teams faced off late yesterday, with the result sure to have a significant impact on the group’s standings.
In yesterday’s encounter, TP Mazembe took the lead in the 41st minute, thanks to a well-executed header from Cheick Fofana, who capitalized on a set-piece from the right flank.
However, the second half proved to be a thrilling spectacle, largely due to tactical adjustments made by Yanga’s Coach, Saed Ramovic.
He made four key substitutions, bringing on Prince Dube, Clement Mzize, Stephane Aziz Ki, and Clatous Chama to replace Mudathir Yahya, Maxi Nzengeli, Kennedy Musonda and Duke Abuya.
The changes paid off, with the fresh legs injecting new energy into the team.
The result was a dramatic finish, with Dube scoring the equaliser in the dying moments of the match, securing a vital point for Yanga and keeping their hopes alive for a knockout-stage berth.
