Yanga, Azam reignite title race

GIANTS Young Africans and Azam won their crucial ties yesterday in separate venues to once again complicate the race for the Premier League’s title. The victories for Dar es Salaam giants helped them to close the gap with table-topping Simba.

Defending champions Young Africans, smarting from a 1-1 draw with Egyptian giants Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League tie, laboured to a 2-1 win over a 10-men Mwadui FC at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The victory consolidated Yanga’s run for a pilot seat with 56 points from 23 outings, just a point behind leaders Simba, with the former boasting a game in hand. The day also saw last season’s runners-up Azam FC securing a much-needed 1-0 win over hosts Mtibwa Sugar at a rain-marred Manungu ground, to keep their title hopes alive.

Hans Van der Pluijm’s reigning champions Yanga needed a late winner from Rwandan midfielder Haruna Niyonzima to salvage all three points against Jamhuri Kihwelo’s side.

The visitors put in an industrious performance with goalkeeper Shaaban Kado producing a master-class display between the posts as he frequently kept Yanga strikers at a bay.

Yanga started strongly and almost grabbed the opener within seconds from kick-off when Simon Msuva planted a powerful header off a right fullback Juma Abudl’s cross but Kado was well placed to make a save.

Kado could not stop Msuva when another wicked cross, this time from Issoufou Boubacar on the left, found him inside the box. The diminutive attacker rose high unmarked and unleashed a stunning header past Kado. Yanga were attacking relentlessly and went close to adding the second two minutes later with Donald Ngoma’s effort going narrowly off target.

Mwadui levelled in the 13th minute through Kelvin Sabati after a mistake by Zimbabwean midfielder Thaban Kamusoko, who failed to control a pass from keeper Deogratius Munishi. Kamusoko’s poor control allowed Sabati, who stole the ball before beating Munishi at the second attempt after the Yanga custodian had blocked the striker’s initial shot.

Yanga pushed for the second goal but Mwadui’s defence stood tall while occasionally bailed out by Kado’s outstanding saves. Malika Ndeule drew a fine save from Munishi with a stunning free-kick in the 41st minute.

Mwadui created a few openings early in the opening half but could not make them count and were indebted to Kado, who prevented his side from conceding the second goal when he produced a one-hand save to deny Msuva after 57 minutes.

Mwadui suffered a blow in the 70th minute when their key defender Idd Mobi was given marching orders with the second bookable offence following his reckless challenge against Ngoma.

Kado’s excellent form continued in the 85th minute after he denied Msuva with another outstanding save, but was helpless a minute later when Niyonzima rushed into Ngoma’s drop header to slam the ball into the back of the net, sparking huge celebrations among Yanga players and supporters.

Third-placed Azam FC, meanwhile, rediscovered their winning formula with a slim but crucial win away to Mtibwa Sugar, as skipper John Bocco netted the all-important goal from the spot on the 61st minute as third-placed Azam FC rediscovered their winning formula, with result moving Azam to 55 points from 24 matches, two points adrift of league leaders Simba.

Azam were the quickest out of the blocks and could have scored inside the opening two minutes when Kipre Tchetche controlled the ball inside the box, but his effort was kept out by keeper Said Mohamed for an abortive corner. Mtibwa Sugar responded after five minutes through Shiza Kichuya’s decent effort from outside the box that forced Aishi Manula into making a superb save.

Both sets of players struggled to play a composed football due to poor pitch condition following a downpour that preceded the game’s kick off. Azam looked more comfortable on the ball compared to the home team and went even closer to opening the score after 15 minutes with Bocco’s dropping header cleared on the line by Andrew Vicent.

Hussein Javu got a good chance when he raced clear into goal midway through the first half but shot straight at Manula. The two sides headed for the breather tied on a goalless draw.

Azam were awarded a penalty in the 61st minute and Bocco stepped up and made no mistake as he sent Mohamed the wrong way for what would prove to be the winning goal. It was the striker’s 10th strike of the season.