THE climax of the Wananchi Week at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam stamped a trailblazer of superior Young Africans in the coming 2023/24 season.
Attended by people of all ages at the fully packed 60,000-capacity arena in the city, the 5th edition of Wananchi Week ended with a huge success.
The weather in the commercial city was ideal for such a sparkling event which happens once in a year making it a perfect day for Yanga members and fans to congregate and make fresh memories.
It is always an eventful day with many things unfolding to satisfy the needs of spectators both at home and those who opt to personally invade at the stadium.
Gates into the venue were opened as early as 10:00am in order to let people go inside without encountering problems and this to a high extent eased entering pressure.
Whenever a day of this nature comes, it also happens to be a good day to traders who sell various products to satisfy the needs of the oncoming fans who require to be treated well.
Just outside the venue, foodstuffs of different types as well as drinks were being served to quench demands of people who wanted to have full stomach before going inside to appreciate the big day.
Others who enjoy this big event are transport operators ranging from Bodaboda, Commuter Buses, Bajajis and many others as they continuously dropped people at the venue to be part of history making.
However, the entertainment book was opened with a friendly match between Yanga Princes versus Geita Gold Queens and the hosts claimed a pulsating 3-0 victory.
Thereafter, the next chapter was the thrilling performances from different artistes who were invited to dish out songs thereby adding cream to the cake and among those who performed, Fid Q, Rayvanny, Jux and Marioo brightly coloured the venue.
The third chapter witnessed another interesting football match between Yanga Staff and Wasanii FC which ended in a goalless draw despite both sides missing several great scoring opportunities.
Up next, it was a big moment that many people were anxiously waiting, the time of introducing full squad that will be tasked to battle for the badge of the club in the upcoming season.
A total of 25 players were paraded in an event that included both new and former players who served the club last season, but the list missed several faces that were seen last term.
From the released squad, it was official that the top marksman, Fiston Mayele will not be part of Yanga squad for the 2023/24 season.
He was not among the paraded 25 players. Others were Yanick Bangala, Juma Shabani and Mamadou Doumbia who have simply been omitted.
The paraded squad comprises: Bakari Mwamnyeto, Djigui Diarra, Abutwalib Mshery, Metacha Mnata, Denis Nkane, Farid Mussa and Clement Mzize.
Others are Joyce Lomalisa, Jesus Moloko, Ibrahim Bacca, Chrispin Ngushi, Mudathir Yahya, Khalid Aucho, Salum Abubakar, Dickson Job and Zawadi Mauya.
It also has Kennedy Musonda, Zouzou Pacome, Nickson Kibabage, Kibwana Shomari, Max Nzengeli, Gift Fred, Jonas Mkude, Yao Attohoula and Mahlatse Makudubela.
