Yanga reopen four-point gap
DAR ES SALAAM: YOUNG Africans tightened their grip at the top of the Tanzania Mainland Premier League table after a commanding 3-0 victory over Namungo FC at the KMC Stadium, sending a strong message to fierce rivals Simba SC in the title race.
With Simba breathing down their necks just a point behind before the match, Yanga showed no signs of nerves as they took control early on. It was midfield maestro Stephane Aziz Ki who opened the scoring in the 26th minute.
After a clever short corner routine, Aziz-Ki exchanged a slick one-two with Max Nzengeli before unleashing a thunderbolt from inside the penalty box.
His shot rocketed past the Namungo goalkeeper Johnathan Nahimana, smashing into the right corner of the net to send Yanga fans into raptures. Four minutes later, Yanga doubled their lead through the ever-reliable Prince Dube.
Right-back Kibwana Shomari delivered a sumptuous V-pass despite being under pressure, threading the ball into the 18- yard box.
Dube, unmarked and composed, turned gracefully before coolly slotting the ball past Namungo goalkeeper Nahimana, who dived the wrong way.
A moment of class that showcased Yanga’s attacking fluidity. The third goal came in the 73rd minute and was a masterpiece of teamwork.
Dube, once again at the heart of the move, combined neatly with Duke Abuya on the right flank. A quick one-two between Dube and Israel Mwenda freed the overlapping fullback, who whipped in an inch-perfect cross to find Max Nzengeli. The winger made no mistake, thumping it into the back of the net to seal a dominant display.
The reigning champions now sit on 73 points from 27 matches, extending their lead over Simba to four points, although their rivals have played one game less.
Both sides–Simba and Yanga–are showing no signs of slowing down as the season nears its climax each having won their last five matches.
A day earlier, Namungo’s Assistant Coach Ngawina Ngawina described the match as one that was bound to be tough, citing the strength of Yanga and their evident hunger to clinch the league title.
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He also noted that the intensity of the fixture was heightened by Namungo’s own battle for survival, as they strive to avoid relegation. For that reason, he affirmed that the team had thoroughly prepared for the encounter.
“We respect Yanga’s quality,” said Namungo FC assistant coach Ngawina Ngawina before the match.
“Every game requires a different tactical approach. When facing a title contender like Yanga, you have to be cautious. We are battling relegation, so we came with a strategy to survive.”
Yanga’s head coach Hamdi Miloud emphasised the importance of the three points. “Our objective was clear – three points. We know Namungo are fighting to avoid relegation and needed at least a point. That made them dangerous,” he noted.
