Aziz Ki scores hat-trick as Yanga dismantle KMC to go top

Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) reclaimed the top spot in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League in emphatic fashion, thrashing Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) 6-1 at the KMC Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam today on February 14, 2025.

The victory marked Yanga’s second-heaviest win of the season, equaling their earlier 6-1 demolition of KenGold FC at the same venue.

The triumph sees the Jangwani Street giants leapfrog their arch-rivals Simba SC at the summit of the league table. Yanga now lead with 49 points from 19 matches, while Simba sit second with 47 points from 18 games.

Aside from reclaiming the top spot, the match was particularly special for Yanga’s playmaker Stephane Aziz Ki, who scored a brilliant hat-trick—the second for the club this season.

The first hat-trick was registered by Zimbabwean striker Prince Dube during Yanga’s 5-0 victory over Mashujaa FC on December 19, 2024, at the same venue.

Dominant display under new coach

This was Yanga’s second match under newly appointed head coach Miloud Hamdi, who recently took charge after leaving Singida Black Stars.

Hamdi’s debut saw Yanga struggle in a goalless draw against JKT Tanzania, but this time, the team was back to its attacking best.

The match started brightly for Yanga, with Dube breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute, finishing off a pinpoint pass from Maxi Nzengeli for his eighth goal of the season.

Aziz Ki doubled Yanga’s lead in the 18th minute, converting a penalty after Clement Mzize was brought down inside the box. The score remained 2-0 at halftime.

Just minutes after the restart, Aziz Ki struck again in the 49th minute with a powerful shot to extend Yanga’s lead to 3-0.

However, KMC pulled one back in the 52nd minute when Remdatus Mussa fired a stunning effort past Yanga’s goalkeeper Diarra Djigui from a wide position.

Yanga quickly regained control, and in the 57th minute, they were awarded another penalty after Prince Dube was fouled in the box.

Aziz Ki stepped up and coolly converted, completing his hat-trick and taking his season tally to five goals.

Late goals seal the victory

Yanga continued their dominance, with Maxi Nzengeli adding a fifth goal in the 90th minute. Defender Israel Mwenda put the icing on the cake in stoppage time (90+5) after connecting with a well-timed pass from Dube.

For Nzengeli, it was his fourth goal of the season, while Mwenda registered his first since joining from Singida Black Stars.

Meanwhile, Aziz Ki’s second penalty of the night made him the league’s most prolific penalty taker this season, tying with Simba’s Leonel Ateba, both having converted four spot-kicks.

With this commanding win, Yanga have sent a strong message to their title rivals as the league battle intensifies.