Yanga open two-point gap at top

Dar es Salaam. Simon Msuva plundered a brace to help Young Africans move two points clear at the top of the Vodacom Premier League table.

Red-hot Yanga, bidding to wrestle the title from Azam FC, mauled Tanzania Prisons 3-0 at the Sokoine Memorial Stadium as the defending champions drew.

Azam, who had hoped to tighten their grip on the top spot, failed to notch maximum points at Mabatini ground where stubborn Ruvu Shooting forced a bruising stalemate.

Yesterday’s results put Yanga in the lead with 28 points followed by Azam with 26 points.

Prisons’ journey to the First Division League look certain as they remain glued at the bottom with 11 points out of 14 matches while Ruvu Shooting climb to the fifth place with 20 points.

In Mbeya, Msuva opened the scoring as early as the third minute when he lashed onto Andre Coutinho’s corner to beat Prisons goalkeeper Mohammed Yusuf.

Yanga, who enjoyed an electric atmosphere on the away stadium, stepped up attacks on the Prisons goal and Coutinho made it 2-0 in the 11th minute with a powerful shot.

Amisi Tambwe fired a thunderbolt, which was parried by Yusuf, but the Brazilian met the rebound and shot past the stunned goalkeeper.

The visitors could have put the score beyond reach in the 26th minute through Abdul Juma, but the Prisons shot-stopper rose to the challenge to deny him.

Prisons crafted a few chances towards the halftime break, but their strikers could not trouble Yanga goalkeeper Ali Mustafa.

After the resumption, Yanga picked up from where they had left off and nearly benefited from an own goal in the 47th minute. Five minutes later, the Prisons goalkeeper kept his team in the match after making a brave save off Mrisho Ngassa’s foot.

However, the home side could not survive longer as Msuva headed home off Coutinho’s corner.

The Brazilian, who is enjoying a fine form, was unquestionably the man of the match after being involved in all goals. Prisons fought back hoping to reduce the deficit, but a well organised Yanga backline gave them no chance.

At Mabatini, John Bocco and Kipre Tchetche let the defending champions down after squandering a host of glorious chances.

However, Azam have a chance to get back to the winning ways when they host bottom side, Tanzania Prisons this weekend.

On Saturday, Kagera Sugar will be in action against Polisi Morogoro in Shinyanga as Ndanda FC host Coastal Union in Mtwara.

Mgambo JKT welcome Mtibwa Sugar at Mkwakwani Stadium while Yanga will be in Mbeya for a game against Mbeya City.