Tanzania’s Young Africans wrap up title in six-goal thriller
Tanzanian giants Young Africans [Yanga] wrapped up their 29th NBC Premier League title with two games to go after beating Dodoma Jiji FC 4-2.
This time, they did it in spectacular fashion, scoring two late goals to seal it. They pipe bitter rivals Simba SC for the second season running.
Interestingly, Simba delayed them by beating them 2-0 in last month’s Kariakoo derby. However, on Saturday, 13 May, there was no stopping them.
Zambian forward Kennedy Musonda opened the scoresheet in the 39th minute before Dodoma pulled one back on the hour mark through Salmin Hoza. In the 67th minute, Dodoma added another goal through Seif Karihe.
HOW YOUNG AFRICANS WRAPPED UP TITLE
With about 15 minutes to go, Yanga drew level through Mudathir Yahya Abbas. Farid Mussa restored the lead in the 87th minute before Abbas put the final nail in the coffin in added time.
The result meant they win the title for the second season running with two games to go.
After 28 games, the Jangwani giants have collected 74 points, seven points more than crosstown rivals Simba SC.
Even if Simba win their last two games, they will only reach 73 points. Last season, Yanga went 49 matches unbeaten, ending Simba’s four-year dominance.
SHIFT FOCUS TO CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
With the league title in the bag, Yanga will now shift focus to the CAF Confederation Cup.
They take on Marumo Gallants in the reverse semi-final clash at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Wednesday.
Timu ya Wananchi lands at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, 14 May, around lunchtime.
Their opponents on Wednesday have had a tough domestic league, as they sit in position 14 on the DStv Premiership log table. They are on 29 points, level with the bottom two teams – Maritzburg United and Chippa United.
Depending on their result against Swallows in the last game, they could still bite the dust.
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