Yanga forward Didier Kavumbagu (right) battles for the ball against Kagera Sugar defender Ernest Mwalupani during their Vodacom Premier League match at the National Stadium yesterday. Yanga won 2-1. photo | michael matemanga
What you need to know:
Kagera won the midfield battle midway through the first half and launched a series of shockwaves, but the Yanga defence manned by Nadir Haroub “Canavaro” stood firm to avert all dangers.
Dar es Salaam. Reigning champions Young Africans are hot on the heels of Vodacom Premier League leaders Azam after edging Kagera Sugar 2-1 at the National Stadium yesterday. Goals from Hamis Kiiza and Didier Kavumbagu secured the victory that took Yanga to within one point of the title-chasing Chamazi boys. They have so far racked up 52 points.
Azam were to play at Mabatini ground against Ruvu Shooting yesterday, but the match was called off due to heavy rains that rendered the pitch unplayable.
The match will now take place today at the same ground with Azam looking to move closer to their first league trophy. They need six points to be crowned new Mainland champions. At the National Stadium, the defending champions, with fresh memories of a 5-1 demolition of JKT Ruvu on Sunday, kicked off the match brightly and their efforts paid off when Kiiza scored three minutes into the game.
The Ugandan latched onto Mrisho Ngassa’s curling cross to fire the ball past a stunned Agatony Anthony.
Yanga continued to haunt the Kagera Sugar goal with sparkling moves orchestrated by Frank Domayo, Simon Msuva and Ngassa, but Kiiza and Kavumbagu fluffed a number of chances. After 15 minutes, Kagera Sugar grew into the game and caused Yanga defenders a lot of problems with Alex Themi, in particular, missing a sitter.
Kagera won the midfield battle midway through the first half and launched a series of shockwaves, but the Yanga defence manned by Nadir Haroub “Canavaro” stood firm to avert all dangers.
Yanga were in ascendancy again in the final 15 minutes of the first half with Msuva making dazzling runs from the middle of the pitch.
Kavumbangu, the towering Burundian, registered his name on the scoreboard in the 36th minute after completing Msuva’s good effort with a cool finish. It was his 30th goal in 60 appearances for the Jangwani Street outfit. Yanga went into the breather leading 2-0. After the break, Kagera looked refreshed and were all out searching for the goals, but the Yanga defence was still watertight.
After a series of attacks, Kagera Sugar pulled one back in the 62nd minute through Daudi Jumanne whose stunning long-range shot gave Yanga’s custodian Deo Munishi no chance.
Lineups
Yanga: Deo Munishi, Juma Abdul, Oscar Joshua, Nadir Haroub, Mbuyu Twite, Frank Domayo, Simon Msuva, Hassan Dilunga, Didier Kavumbangu, Mrisho Ngassa, Hamisi Kiiza.
Kagera Sugar: Agatony Anthony, Salum Kanoni, Mohamed Hussein, Ernest Mwalupani, Maregesi Mwangwa, George Kavilla, Benjamin Asukile, Daudi Jumanne, Adam Kingwande, Themi Felix, Paul Ngway.
