Yanga fans cheer during a recent Vodacom Premier League match. The reigning champions beat Toto Africans 2-1 at Kirumba Stadium yesterday to go seven points clear at the top of the table. PHOTO|FILE
What you need to know:
The Jangwani Street heavyweights currently top the 16-team premiership with 65 points, seven points adrift of close challengers Azam FC and eight above Simba SC.
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans tightened their grip on the Vodacom Premier League top spot after labouring to beat Toto Africans 2-1 at Kirumba Stadium yesterday.
The Jangwani Street heavyweights currently top the 16-team premiership with 65 points, seven points adrift of close challengers Azam FC and eight above Simba SC.
Azam and Simba clash at the National Stadium today in a match that a draw will serve Yanga a big favour towards their title defence mission.
Yanga went into the Toto Africans match as clear favourites, but had to fight from a goal down to secure the three points. William Kimanzi put Toto Africans in the lead in the 39th minute from a corner ball that was well taken by Abdallah Seseme.
After the goal, Yanga intensified their attacks on the hosts’ area, but Toto Africans backline marshalled by Karlos Protus rose to the challenge and thwarted all dangers.
Yanga’s lethal strike-force comprising Donald Ngoma, Simon Msuva and Amissi Tambwe had chances to score in the first half, but fluffed them. After the break, unchanged Yanga picked from where they had left off and managed to celebrate the equaliser in the 50th minute thanks to Deus Kaseke’s goal.
The former Mbeya City forward completed a deft Tambwe’s pass to send thousands of their fans into wild celebrations.
The visitors continued to launch a series of well organised attacks on the Toto Africans goal, but goalkeeper Mussa Mohamed was at his best as he made several clearances.
Yanga scored the winner in the 78th minute via Juma Abdul who capitalised on a loose ball in the hosts’ penalty box.
In Tanga, Coastal Union are edging closer to relegation after losing 1-0 to bitter rivals African Sports.
Mohamed Mtindi scored the solitary goal in the 77th minute to hand his side a lifeline as the relegation dogfight hots up.
Line ups
Toto Africans: Mussa Mohamed, Eric Muliro, Hassan Khatibu, Salum Chukwu, Carlos Protus, Jamal Soud, Abdallah Seseme, Waziri Junior, William Kimanzi and Edward Christopher.
Yanga: Deo Munishi, Juma Abdul, Oscar Joshua, Kevin Yondan, Vincent Bossou, Haruna Niyonzima/Thabani Kamusoko, Salum Telela, Simon Msuva, Amissi Tambwe/Malimi Busungu, Donald Ngoma and Deus Kaseke/Matheo Anthony.
