Yanga on avenging mission against Tabora United
Yanga attacking midfielder Pacome Zouzoua (right) and Tabora United's Yacouba Songne vie for the ball during a previous match. Tabora won 3-1. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Records show that Tabora United have managed to win only one match against Yanga in previous seasons.
Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) aim to avenge their 3-1 defeat to Tabora United today at the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium from 4 p.m.
Unlike the previous encounter, today’s match will feature two different coaches, Yanga’s Miloud Hamdi and Genesis Mangombe of Tabora United.
In the first-round match held on November 7 at Azam Complex, Yanga were under Argentine tactician Miguel Gamondi, whose contract was later terminated by mutual consent. Tabora United, then led by DR Congo’s tactician Anicet Kiazmaki, secured the victory before a coaching change.
Beyond seeking revenge, the match has drawn attention from football fans across the country due to the current league standings of both teams. Yanga sit at the top of the league table with 58 points from 22 matches, while Tabora United are in fifth place with 37 points from 23 matches.
The Jangwani Street giants need a victory to widen the point gap against their arch-rivals Simba, who are second with 57 points from 22 matches.
On the other hand, Tabora United need a win to fight for a top-four spot, as they are currently seven points behind Singida Black Stars, who hold fourth place with 44 points from 23 matches.
This makes today’s match a highly competitive one. However, records show that Tabora United have managed to win only one match against Yanga in previous seasons.
"The Bees" lost 1-0 to Yanga in their first encounter last season at Dodoma’s Jamhuri Stadium on December 23, 2023, and later fell 3-0 in the return match at the Azam Complex on May 25 this year.
In the CRDB Federation Cup, Yanga also secured a 3-0 win in a match played at the Azam Complex on May 1 last year. Yanga’s head coach, Hamdi, stated that they are taking the match seriously.
"It is a very crucial match, and we are targeting victory. That is our prime objective ahead of the match," said Hamdi.
He added that they have prepared tactical options to secure the win, despite facing teams that often prefer a defensive approach. Tabora United’s head coach, Genesis Mangombe, expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to face Yanga.
Mangombe said that all players are in high spirits ahead of the match and that their primary goal is to secure three crucial points to elevate their position in the standings.
