Yanga claim helm, Nabi shines
YOUNG Africans reclaimed the Premier League helm following their hard earned 1-0 victory over Kagera Sugar at water logged CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza on Sunday.
The victory has earned Yanga 23 points and have knocked Azam out of the pilot seat with superior goal average.
Yanga have stamped a 10- goal difference as they have netted 15 goals, while conceding 5 goals as Azam, also with 23 points, have notched 16 goals while allowing 5 five goals behind their net, hence stamping a 5-goal difference.
The match was balanced though Kagera Sugar looked superior on the waterlogged pitch following a downpour.
Both teams opted to play long balls as a way to deal with a rough situation.
After a couple of attempts, Yanga seized the lead in the 18th minute via a diving header by Clement Mzize who connected home a timely cross from Feisal Salum.
Mzize, a product of Yanga youth team, has therefore gone to records for scoring the most important goal that enabled his team clinch an away victory.
Kagera Sugar had a golden chance to level the deficit in the 68th minute when they secured a spot-kick, but Yanga goalie Djigui Diarra stood firm between the posts to deny Erick Mwijage’s strike.
As the game unfolded, the hosts looked likely to get an equaliser forcing the visitors to defend in numbers until the match ended.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Mbeya City came from behind to force a 2-2 draw with Coastal Union in an early match at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.
The Tanga-based giants have therefore cherished four points accumulated from the difficult away venue after defeating Tanzania Prisons 2-0 in their previous game at the same venue hence they had a good job there.
With the outcome, Mbeya City have annexed 16 points from ten matches whereas Coastal Union have since accumulated 12 points after nine-game outings as they slowly ascend the league table.
In another development, Yanga Head Coach Nassredine Nabi has been voted the best coach of October by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Awards Committee.
According to a statement from TFF, Nabi has outclassed Mubiru Abdallah of Mbeya City and Thiery Hitimana for KMC who were the finalists.
It further pointed out that the Tunisian steered Yanga to a 2-1 win over Ruvu Shooting, 1-0 success against KMC, 1-0 triumph versus Geita Gold plus recording a 1-1 draw with Simba, all the matches were played in October.
On the other hand, Mbeya City striker Sixtus Sabilo has been picked as best player of October after showcasing massive performance in games played by his side as he netted two goals and providing three assists in four fixtures fulfilled by his club.
