Yanga pummel Medeama to reignite Champions League hopes
Dar es Salaam. After a shaky start, Tanzania's CAF Champions League representatives, Young Africans (Yanga), have roared back to life with a commanding 3-0 victory over Medeama FC of Ghana.
This triumph keeps their dream of knockout stage qualification in Group D very much alive.
Yanga's hero of the night was Pacome Zouzoua, who opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. Kennedy Musonda then doubled the lead with a well-placed header in the 66th, thanks to a pinpoint corner from Yao Attohoula Yao. Mudathir Yahya put the icing on the cake, finishing off a neat pass from Stephane Aziz K.
Despite Medeama playing well and creating their own chances, their hopes were dashed by Jonathan Sowah's 54th-minute miss after Yanga captain Bakari Mwamnyeto conceded a penalty,
Yanga goalkeeper Djigui Diarra pulled off a remarkable save, keeping the clean sheet and putting Yanga firmly in control.
The game took another dramatic turn in Yanga's favor as Sowah was sent off later for a reckless challenge. He will miss the crucial upcoming clash against Al Ahly in Kumasi.
Today’s victory puts Yanga in second place in the group with five points from four matches. Defending champions Al Ahly currently lead with five points from three games, but it's the goal difference that separates the two.
Medeama sits in third with four points, while CR Belouizdad languishes at the bottom with four points from three matches. Their game against Al Ahly was postponed due to the Egyptian giants' participation in the Club World Cup.
Yanga head coach Migual Gamondi, while pleased with the win, believes there's room for improvement. "The players deserve credit for a good performance, but we still missed some clear chances," he stated.
With two crucial matches remaining, Yanga's destiny is in their own hands. They host CR Belouizdad between February 23 and 24 next year before traveling to face Al Ahly in Cairo between March 1 and 2.
This revamped Yanga will be hoping to continue their roar and claw their way to the Champions League knockout stages for the first time.