Tanzania’s Young Africans have defeated Marumo Gallants 2-0 in their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first-leg clash at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
The showpiece got off to a cagey start, with the two sides trying to get momentum.
As the half progressed, the home side were dominant and created a couple of chances, but the hosts were unable to find a breakthrough against the resilient DStv Premiership side.
However, chances were few and far between for both teams when the game was approaching the half-time break.
LEVEL AT THE BREAK
The half-time whistle blew with nothing to separate the two teams.
It was action-packed in the second stanza, and the goal attempts were in constant supply, making the contest good viewing for the fans from the stands.
Marumo dominated possession but found it difficult to break down a solid Yanga rearguard.
But, the Tanzanian side managed to redeem themselves but struggled to create anything by way of goalscoring opportunities.
The visitors were never discouraged as they upped the tempo. They started testing Yanga’s solid backline with the hopes of breaking the deadlock.
Raymond Mdaka’s side started enjoying their finest spell of the showdown.
But in a turn of events, Bahlabane ba Ntwa had now been pushed back and couldn’t create an opportunity of note.
YANGA SINK MARUMO
Yanga started taking command of the game and led to a goal through Aziz Ki in the 64th minute.
Bernard Marrison scored the second goal for Yanga in the last minutes of the game.
In the end, Yanga walked away victorious and took a 2-0 advantage going into the second leg.
As a result, the second leg will decide who goes through the finals. The return leg set to take place on Wednesday, 17 May 2023 in South Africa.
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