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.
- How Namuwongo Blazers Refused to Lose: Inside a Game 7 That Needed Overtime to Decide a Champion
- Entebbe UPPC Face Vipers Test with Key Players Sidelined
- Vipers Begin Title Defence Against Entebbe UPPC at Kitende
- Kawempe Muslim Set for CBE Rematch in CAFWCL Semifinal
- KCCA Leopards Crush Stormers to Secure NBL Bronze
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AROUND THE SPORTING WORLD
- How Namuwongo Blazers Refused to Lose: Inside a Game 7 That Needed Overtime to Decide a Champion
Two comebacks, blown leads, tactical adjustments from both benches, and enough tension to stretch across an entire season had already been spent by the time Game 7 tipped off, and still there was more basketball left to play than either side could have wanted. - Entebbe UPPC Face Vipers Test with Key Players Sidelined
With several first-team players watching from the sidelines, Entebbe UPPC must find solutions from within their available squad. - Vipers Begin Title Defence Against Entebbe UPPC at Kitende
The encounter, scheduled for 8pm and live on Sanyuka Prime TV, brings the long-awaited return of top-flight football and immediately places the defending champions under the spotlight. For Vipers, it is an opportunity to begin their pursuit of another league crown on a positive note, while Entebbe UPPC will be eager to spoil the champions' opening night. - Kawempe Muslim Set for CBE Rematch in CAFWCL Semifinal
The semifinal will provide CBE with a chance to respond after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Kawempe Muslim during the group stage. The Valley Warriors already know they can overcome their Ethiopian opponents, but they will expect CBE to approach the rematch with greater determination and a different tactical plan. - KCCA Leopards Crush Stormers to Secure NBL Bronze
The Leopards produced an impressive display of attacking basketball and defensive discipline, building a commanding advantage early before responding strongly to a brief second-half revival from the Stormers.
