Yanga crash to second consecutive defeat
What you need to know:
- A missed penalty by Yanga’s Stephane Aziz Ki late in the first half was another missed opportunity that could have changed the game's momentum.
Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) endured another disappointing setback in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League, suffering a 3-1 defeat to Tabora United at the Azam Complex on November 7, 2024.
This marks their second consecutive loss, following a 1-0 defeat to Azam FC at the same venue just days earlier.
The result means Yanga remain in second position with 24 points from 10 matches, while Simba lead the league with 25 points from 10 matches.
Tabora United seized control early, opening the scoring in the 20th minute when Offen Chikola unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area, leaving Yanga's defense stunned.
Chikola then struck again during added time in the first half, sending his team into the break with a commanding 2-0 lead.
The third blow came in the 78th minute when Nelson Munganga added to Tabora United’s tally, firing yet another powerful strike from outside the box.
Yanga’s attempt to fight back were limited, though they found a consolation goal in stoppage time. Clement Mzize managed to find the net in the 90+4 minute following a skillful pass from teammate Prince Dube.
A missed penalty by Yanga’s Stephane Aziz Ki late in the first half was another missed opportunity that could have changed the game's momentum.
The Jangwani Street giants were left reflecting on their inability to convert chances in a match where they had several close opportunities.
After the game, Yanga’s head coach Miguel Gamondi acknowledged the team’s defeat, expressing his disappointment while also pledging to address their performance issues in upcoming matches.
“We had many scoring chances, but unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalize on them,” Gamondi remarked.
Despite the loss, he refrained from placing blame on his players, promising to implement changes and improvements moving forward.
The back-to-back losses have intensified the pressure on Yanga as they look to regain their championship form.
With upcoming matches critical to maintaining their position in the league standings, the team will need to rebound quickly to avoid slipping further behind their rivals.
