Aziz Ki wins his first award after scoring two goals against Kaizer Chiefs
Young Africans (Yanga) attacking midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki (center) poses after being named Man of the Match against Kaizer Chiefs in the Toyota Cup in South Africa. Aziz Ki scored two goals in the 4-0 victory. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Aziz Ki's performance was nothing short of spectacular. The Burkinabe attacking midfielder scored his first goal in the 45th minute after being expertly set up by Duke Abuya.
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) attacking midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki was named Man of the Match in the inaugural Toyota Cup encounter against Kaizer Chiefs held on July 28, 2024, in South Africa.
The match, held at the Toyota Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, saw Aziz Ki score two goals in a 4-0 victory for his team, securing the Toyota Cup.
The match marked Yanga's third fixture in South Africa, having previously lost 2-1 to Bundesliga side FC Augsburg before recording a 1-0 victory against TS Galaxy in the Mpumalanga International Competition.
Aziz Ki's performance was nothing short of spectacular. The Burkinabe attacking midfielder scored his first goal in the 45th minute after being expertly set up by Duke Abuya.
His second goal came in the 62nd minute, capitalizing on mistakes made by the Kaizer Chiefs defenders.
This brace not only highlighted his sharpness in front of goal but also his ability to seize opportunities under pressure.
The other Yanga goals were scored by Prince Dube and Clement Mzize in the 24th and 56th minutes, respectively.
Dube's goal opened the scoring early in the match, setting the tone for Yanga's dominant performance. Mzize's goal further extended the lead, ensuring that Yanga maintained control throughout the match.
In recognition of his outstanding performance, Aziz Ki was awarded R5,000 (Sh738,317).
The accolade marks his first award of the new season and sets a positive tone for the months ahead. Speaking after receiving the award, Aziz Ki expressed his joy and gratitude.
"I am happy to win; it is important, but the most important is the team’s victory despite the fact that we were playing in a special friendly match. Winning pre-season matches builds confidence ahead of the new season," said Aziz Ki.
Yanga's head coach also lauded the team's performance, highlighting the significance of such victories in pre-season.
"These matches are crucial for building team chemistry and assessing our tactics. The win against Kaizer Chiefs is a testament to our preparation and the hard work put in by the players and technical staff," he said.
This victory adds to Yanga's successful stint in South Africa, where they have now secured two wins out of three matches.
The team’s performance against strong opponents like Kaizer Chiefs and TS Galaxy is promising as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The experience gained from playing against FC Augsburg, despite the loss, also provided valuable insights into areas needing improvement.
As Yanga look forward to the new season, the confidence and momentum gained from the Toyota Cup victory will undoubtedly serve as a solid foundation.
The players and fans alike are optimistic about what lies ahead, hoping for more victories and accolades.
