Yanga cruise to Cup final
ARUSHA: YOUNG Africans will face Azam in the final of the CRDB Bank Federation Cup after defeating Ihefu 1-0 at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha on Sunday.
Stephanie Aziz Ki netted the priceless goal in the 101st minute of extra time after the teams produced a goalless draw in the normal period of play. He received a well-calculated cross from substitute Pacome Zouzoua to beat Ihefu shot-stopper Khomeini Khomein who had an outstanding performance before.
The finals of the competition will be held at the newly constructed Tanzanite Stadium in Babati on June 2nd. It will be the first time for Babati to host such a lucrative football match attracting two teams that have quality players in their squads.
However, from the kickoff, both Yanga and Ihefu were impressive in defending and attacking no wonder neither of them managed to make a breakthrough in a normal period of play.
For Yanga, their close scoring opportunity came in the 28th minute when Maxi Nzengeli delivered a sweet cross inside Ihefu’s box but Aziz Ki blasted it off target to the relief of the hosts. In the 43rd minute, Yanga’s full-back Nickson Kibabage was stretched off after picking an injury paving the way for Joyce Lomalisa.
At the stroke of half-time, Joseph Mahundi wasted one of the great opportunities for Ihefu as his shot went wide. As the whistle to break the opening 45 minutes sounded, Mahundi had to be consoled by his teammates as he looked depressed for failing to use well the advantage en route to the dressing room.
At the restart, the intensity of the match could not cease as each side played with purpose in a bid to secure the leading goal but the wait was still on. Mid-way as the encounter unfolded, Yanga withdrew Clement Mzize and Nzengeli for Joseph Guede and Pacome Zouzoua in a move to increase attacking creativity.
The hosts made their first substitution in the 66th minute when Kelvin Naftal was replaced by Amade Momade hoping to bring fortune as the clock ticked.
Ihefu goalie Khomeini made a spectacular save in the 73rd minute to stop Aziz Ki’s powerful set-piece shot for a fruitless corner. Here, efforts for the duo to upset one another in normal periods of play could not bear fruits hence extra 30 minutes were added to split them.
