5 Yanga SC stars who caught the eye of DStv Premiership scouts
Yanga SC’s gallant showing against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals didn’t go unnoticed. While the tie ultimately went the way of the South African champions, several Yanga players displayed their talent on the continental stage.
The Tshwane giants won 3-2 on penalties at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday night following a goalless draw over two-legs.
Here are 5 Young Africans stars who could be attracting interest from DStv Premiership clubs:
Djigui Diarra (GK): The Malian shot-stopper was a brick wall between the posts for Yanga, making crucial saves throughout the two legs. The 29-year-old’s experience and leadership at the back would be a valuable asset for any PSL side. He is currently Mali’s number-one goalkeeper, having started all games at the AFCON earlier this year.
Stephane Aziz Ki (Midfielder): Unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet in the second leg, with that ferocious strike that looked to have crossed the line. Besides that strike, Aziz Ki showed glimpses of his creativity. The talented playmaker has scored 13 goals in the league this season.
The 28-year-old Burkina Faso national team star also scored one goal in the Champions League. Originally born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Aziz Ki spent the formative years of his career in Europe at Spanish side CD San Roque de Lepe before moving to Cyrpriot side Omonia Nikosia.
TOP PERFORMERS AFTER YANGA SC’S GALLANT SHOWING
Ibrahim Abdallah Hamad (Centre-Back): Popularly known as Ibrahim Bacca, the Tanzanian defender displayed impressive composure and reading of the game against a potent Sundowns attack. His ability to dominate aerial challenges would be suited to the physicality of the DStv Premiership. The 29-year-old Taifa Stars centre-back is also comfortable using both feet. He is arguably the best defender in the Tanzanian topflight at the moment.
Maxi Mpia Nzengeli (Attacking Midfielder): This Congolese attacker showed two sides of his game in the two legs. In the first leg, he impressed with his creativity and dribbling skills, providing a spark in Yanga’s midfield. His ability to unlock defences would be a welcome addition for any team in the PSL.
On the domestic scene, he has 11 goals in all competitions in his maiden season in Tanzania. In the second leg, the 24-year-old tracked back quite often, helping Dickson Job, who was deployed as a right back in the absence of Kouassi Attohoula Yao. He won Yanga possession on the right several times.
Yahya Mudathir (Midfielder): The 27-year-old Taifa Stars midfielder is often deployed as a typical eight – operating in a box-to-box role. In the two legs, however, his role saw him drop a bit deep in the absence of Khalid Aucho, who missed the game through injury.
But also, as Yanga deployed a mid-block, his role required him to play a bit more defensively. He showed a lot of energy and contributed to both the attacking and defending phases of the game. In the first leg, Clement Mzize couldn’t convert his defence-splitting pass. In the domestic league, ‘Muda’, as he is affectionately known, makes a lot of box entries. He has scored 10 goals so far this season.
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