Yanga hit brick wall

DAR EA SALAAM: YOUNG Africans’ dreams of advancing to the CAF Champions League quarter-finals were dashed on Saturday after a goalless draw with MC Alger at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The match, which held significant importance, saw the Tanzanian side’s hopes of progressing to the next stage fade away on home turf.

With Group A leaders Al Hilal already secured a spot in the quarters, the final qualification berth was up for grabs. Yanga needed a victory to seal their place, while MC Alger only required either a win or a draw to progress. The stakes couldn’t have been higher.

Despite creating several promising opportunities throughout the match, Young Africans were unable to convert any chances into goals.

Yanga had numerous golden opportunities to break the deadlock, but unfortunately, luck was not on their side as they struggled to find the back of the net.

One of the most tantalising moments came early in the 11th minute when Stephene Aziz Ki maneuverer past a cluster of defenders, carving a clear path into the box. With only MC Alger goalkeeper Abdelatif Ramdane standing between him and glory, Aziz Ki fired a shot that appeared destined to find the net.

However, Ramdane made a brilliant save.

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In the 72nd minute, Prince Dube rose like a lion, connecting with a perfectly delivered corner from Pacôme Zouzoua. His header seemed destined for the back of the net, but in the blink of an eye, Ramdane’s lightning-fast reflexes came into play.

Then came a moment that could have been a fairy-tale finish – Clement Mzize found himself in the right place at the right time with the ball ricocheting dangerously in the MC Alger penalty area. After his teammate fired a thunderous shot, MC Alger defenders blocked it, but the ball was not cleared.

Mzize seized the opportunity, made space for himself, and set up the strike. Just as it seemed Yanga were finally about to break through, the MC Alger goalkeeper once again used his feet to make a stunning save.

Yanga had the chances and the desire, but unfortunately for them, it simply wasn’t their day.

While Yanga relentlessly pursued a goal, pushing forward with awave after wave of attacking pressure, MC Alger proved they were no pushovers. The Algerian side may not have dominated possession, but they knew how to capitalise on the opportunities presented to them. Each time they launched an attack, they posed a threat to Yanga’s goal.

In the first half, MC Alger demonstrated their dangerous counter-attacking capabilities. Twice, they broke free from Yanga’s pressing game, catching the defence off guard. In both attempts Yanga defence stood strong, making a crucial clearance just in time.

The real scare for Yanga’s fans came in the 65th minute when MC Alger’s forward, Zakaria Naidji, sent shivers down their spines. Taking advantage of a rare opportunity, Naidji caught Yanga’s goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra, off guard.

With a quick glance and a moment of brilliance, Naidji spotted Diarra slightly off his line and unleashed an audacious long-range strike from the centre of the pitch. The ball sliced through the air with incredible speed, heading straight for the net. It felt as if time stood still, and the packed stadium held its breath, fearing the worst.

In a split second, Diarra sprang into action with a lightning-fast sprint and a perfect save. The crowd erupted in relief as the danger was averted, keeping the score at 0-0.

In the end, it wasn’t about the number of chances Yanga created; rather, it was their lack of clinical finishing that left the score intact. The result left Yanga heartbroken, extinguishing their hopes of making history in Africa’s premier club competition, despite their valiant performance.