Striker Guede faces uncertain future at Yanga

Dar es Salaam. Two groups have emerged within Yanga debating the fate of their Ivorian striker Joseph Guede whether he should stay or be given a 'Thank You'.

It is reported that the Yanga bosses want to part ways with strikers Kennedy Musonda from Zambia and Guede and then look for new ‘machines’ to replace them.

The bosses have a feeling that the stars haven't made any big impact on the team, despite each having served the club at different times.

However, The Citizen is aware that even the team’s head coach, Miguel Gamondi, still wants Guede to stay because he has already caught fire, but the club financiers have brought him (Gamondi) new deadly strikers for signing.

The Yanga bosses are fighting for the signature of Ghanaian striker Jonathan Sowah, with Guede being considered for the chop.

However, that move has faced opposition following Guede’s impressive performance in their last games of the recently ended season.

The first group want Guede to be dropped while insisting on the same fate for Musonda, arguing that both strikers failed to score at least 10 goals each for the team.

Guede scored only six goals for Yanga in the last half-season of the Tanzania Mainland Premier League, while Musonda scored five throughout the entire season of the league, contributing to Yanga’s title defence for the third time consecutively.

However, Musonda outperformed Guede on the international stage by scoring three goals for Yanga in the CAF Champions League matches, while teammate Guede scored only one goal.

The second group defending Guede see the striker's six goals in the last half-season as promising. They argue that with more opportunities in the upcoming season, he would excel, especially with Yanga planning a heavy transfer window. They emphasise that the star didn't have enough playing time.

This group defending Guede is said to be getting strong support from the team's head coach, Miguel Gamondi.

According to information received by The Citizen, Gamondi's report recommends keeping the striker, with the condition that if he is let go, a replacement has to be consistent in scoring goals in both the Mainland Premier League and the CAF Champions League.

What it looks easier for Yanga is that both strikers' contracts have expired and to retain them will require a process with a fear that new recruits might not perform as well.

"So far, we are waiting for our president (Eng Hersi Said), who is currently in Arusha for a break, to decide together with the coach (Gamondi) what their next steps will be.

"What it looks easier for us is that both strikers' contracts have expired, so any decision to retain them will require a process. However, regarding Guede, the coach has already stated he wants him to stay. We just have to wait and see," said a source within Yanga.

However, Guede’s position is being pursued by Sowah, who has not yet displayed top form since joining Al-Nasr Benghazi in the mid-season transfer window from Medeama, scoring only five goals.

The Ghanaian notably sparkled in a match against Al Hilal Benghazi, scoring four goals with his team securing a 6-3 victory.

Sowah, however, showcased top form with Ghana's Medeama, when he scored the leading goal against Yanga in the CAF Champions League group stage, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw before his team lost 3-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Coach Rishard defends Guede

Former Tanzania Prisons head coach Adolf Rishard has said Guede is a player who started off poorly but as he got accustomed to the Mainland Premier League, he began to show his abilities. He said Guede cannot interfere with the coach's plans; if the coach has approved it, he may have seen something.

"In the six months he has played for the team and the number of goals he has scored, he deserves more time because he is already adapting to the system.

However, Miguel Gamondi is the one who works with him, so there might be things he's noticed.” Said Rishard.