Yanga defeat Azam FC on penalties to close the season as double winners
Yanga players celebrate after winning the CRDB Federation Cup at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar on June 02, 2024. PHOTO | LOVENESS BERNARD
What you need to know:
- Records show that Yanga have become the first team in the country to win the title four times.
- The team previously won in the 2015/2016, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and this 2023/2024 seasons.
Dar es Salaam. Football giants Young Africans (Yanga) have retained the CRDB Federation Cup title after defeating Azam FC on penalties 6-5 at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.
The match was decided on penalties following a goalless draw in 120 minutes of play. This marks the second title of the season for the Jangwani Street giants, who also won the NBC Premier League in the recently concluded season.
Records show that Yanga have become the first team in the country to win the title four times. The team previously won in the 2015/2016, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and this 2023/2024 seasons.
It as not an easy victory, as the two teams battled through nine rounds of penalties. Yanga’s goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra, deserves accolades for his crucial save against Gibril Sillah’s penalty.
Had Sillah scored, the Jangwani Street giants would have lost the title.
Earlier in the shootout, Yanga players Stephane Aziz Ki and Joseph Guede missed the first two penalties, thanks to outstanding saves by Azam FC goalkeeper Mohammed Mustafa.
Azam FC started strong, converting their first two penalties through Adolf Bitegeko and Cheikh Sidibe.
Yanga's Pacome Zouzoua scored the third penalty, bringing his team back into the game, while Azam FC defender Yeison Fuentes missed his attempt.
Subsequently, Yanga's Bakari Mwamnyeto and Khalid Aucho scored the fifth and sixth penalties, as did Azam FC's Edward Manyama and Feisal “Fei Toto” Salum.
Yanga's central defender Ibrahim Bacca missed the eighth penalty, and Jonas Mkude scored the ninth, while Azam FC's Lusajo Mwaikenda and Idd Nado missed the eighth and ninth penalties, declaring Yanga’s victory.
Awards
Zanzibar's Minister of Information, Youth, Culture, and Sports, Tabia Maulid Mwita, and Minister of Arts, Culture, and Sports, Damas Ndumbaro, handed the trophy to Yanga’s captain, Bakari Mwamnyeto.
Apart from the new and modern trophy, Yanga was awarded Sh200 million for winning the title.
Last season, Yanga was awarded Sh50 million. Additionally, Yanga’s Ibrahim Bacca was named Man of the Match, and Clement Mzize won the Golden Boot award after scoring five goals.
