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Yanga drop Yao, sign Ghanaian defender Asinki for new season
Yanga’s new defender Frank Asinki in a recent training session. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- His signing not only covers Yao’s absence but also injects fresh energy into the heart of Yanga’s defense.
Dar es Salaam. In a move aimed at strengthening their squad ahead of the new league season, defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) have secured the services of Singida Black Stars’ central defender, Frank Asinki.
Asinki, regarded as one of the top defenders in Singida’s ranks, has already linked up with his new teammates. He travelled with the squad yesterday to Kigali, Rwanda, where Yanga are set to face Rayon Sport in a special friendly match scheduled for tomorrow.
According to a source within the club, Asinki joins Yanga on a six-month loan deal, replacing Kouassi Attohoula Yao, who is sidelined with a long-term injury. The source revealed that Yanga had already filled their quota of 12 foreign players for the upcoming season.
However, with Yao expected to be out for at least half a year, the technical bench recommended bringing in a suitable replacement to maintain the team’s defensive strength.
“Yao will not be fit for matches when the league kicks off on September 16,” the source said. “So we have decided to drop Yao from the squad list and sign Asinki, who will provide competition for our three central defenders—Dickson Job, Ibrahim ‘Bacca’ Hamad, and Bakari Mwamnyeto. His arrival adds depth and experience to our backline.”
Asinki, a Ghanaian international, is known for his commanding presence, aerial strength, and ability to read the game—qualities that Yanga believe will be crucial in their quest to defend the title and compete strongly in continental competitions.
His signing not only covers Yao’s absence but also injects fresh energy into the heart of Yanga’s defense. The transfer activity does not stop there.
The Jangwani Street giants are also reported to have secured another Singida Black Stars player, Edmund John. The attacking midfielder is set to bring creativity and versatility to Yanga’s offensive play, further boosting their options in the middle of the park.
John joins a long list of new faces brought in during the current transfer window, as Yanga continue their aggressive recruitment drive. Other new signings include Celestine Ecua, Abubakar “Ninju” Nizar, Andy Boyeli, Abdulnassir “Casemiro” Mohammed, Offen Chikola, Lassine Kouma, Balla, Mohamed Doumbia, and Mohammed “Tshabalala” Hussein.
This fresh influx of talent underlines Yanga’s determination to not only dominate domestically but also make a strong impact in CAF competitions. With the new league season fast approaching, the club is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the team is competitive in all departments.
The defending champions will use the friendly against Rayon Sport as part of their final preparations before returning home to begin the title defence. Fans will be eager to see how quickly the new recruits, particularly Asinki and John, settle into the squad and adapt to the demands of Yanga’s playing style.
