Young Africans are champions of Tanzania’s NBC Premier League for the second consecutive season and 29th time in their history after a thrilling finish gave Yanga a 4-2 victory over Dodoma Jiji on Saturday at the Azam Complex Stadium.
Yanga encountered a Dodoma Jiji side that was not in a charitable mood considering they are continuing to fight against relegation.
Zambian attacker Kennedy Musonda gave the hosts a 1-0 lead by halftime after he received a pass from Stephane Aziz Ki and fired past Dodoma Jiji goalkeeper Aron Kalambo.
However the visitors produced an impressive rally soon after the hour mark with a perfect header from Salmin Hoza leveling the match in the 62nd minute. When Seif Karihe’s hopeful shot from out wide looped over the head of Yanga keeper Metacha Mnata and into the goal five minutes later it appeared Yanga supporters would have to postpone their celebrations.
In the end the champions would get the job done with a late surge to extend their record number of domestic titles in dramatic fashion. Clement Mzizi provided a low cross for Abbas to even the match three minutes after Karihe’s goal and the moment of triumph arrived in the 87th minute when a corner kick was headed out towards the edge of the Dodoma penalty area for Mussa to fire his shot into the top corner. Abbas eliminated any doubt in stoppage time with a strike from fifteen yards out to add to the celebrations.
Yanga are now seven points clear and out of reach of rivals Simba SC who previously kept their title hopes alive with Friday’s 3-0 victory over Ruvu Shooting.
Simba will join Yanga in representing Tanzania in the CAF Champions League next season but the Reds came up short in their attempts to overtake their rivals. A 3-0 victory for Simba over last placed Ruvu Shooting confirmed relegation for the visitors as well as second place for Friday’s hosts. Clatous Chama opened the scoring around the half hour mark and Pape Ousmane Sakho scored twice in the second half for the 2022-23 CAF Champions League quarterfinalists.
Yanga’s victory on Saturday and Simba’s defeat to Azam FC in the semifinals of Tanzania’s Azam Federation Cup last weekend results in a second consecutive season without trophies for a Simba club where there is little tolerance for failure.
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- Vipers SC Add Congolese Experience to Defensive Unit
The latest addition comes just days after Vipers appointed experienced French coach Denis Lavagne on a two-year contract. - Boni Consili Exact Revenge on St. Noa to Reach USSSA Final
The victory carried special significance for Boni Consili. It served as sweet revenge against the very side that ended their title hopes in the previous edition of the championship. - KCCA Drops Co-Coach Experiment, Entrusts Ssenyondo with Top Job
The club’s latest decision effectively places Ssenyondo firmly at the helm, granting him full responsibility for the team’s footballing direction. - Vipers SC Land Joel Sserunjogi as First Signing of New Transfer Window
Sserunjogi joins Vipers as a free agent following the expiration of his three-year contract with Uganda Premier League rivals KCCA FC - NAM BLazers Demand Clarity on BAL Qualification as NBL Playoff Delays Raise Fresh Concerns
In response to the concerns raised, FUBA Vice President and General Secretary Hudson Ssegamwenge acknowledged receipt of the club’s letter and assured the Blazers that the federation is fully aware of the challenges facing the league.
