Yanga on the brink of winning 30th Mainland League trophy
Yanga's players Joseph Guede and Aziz Ki celebrate scoring goal against Mashujaa FC during the Mainland Tanzania Premier league match at Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma on May 5, 2024. Yanga won 1-0.
What you need to know:
- Yanga are now 11 points ahead with Azam FC who have so far collected 54 points and 15 points ahead of their bitter rivals, Simba, who are third with 50 points.
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) defeated Mashujaa FC 1-0 at the Lake Tanganyika Stadium yesterday and now need eight points to win the 30th Mainland Tanzania title.
In the exciting match, Joseph Guede scored Yanga’s goal in the 41st minute after a nice ball from Mudathir Yahya. Guede has already scored five goals since joining Yanga during mini-window player registration.
With 65 points from 25 games, the Jangwani Street giants have dominated the top spot thanks to the victory.
Yanga is now ahead of Azam by 11 points and 15 points ahead of their fierce rivals, Simba, who are in third place with 50 points.
By accumulating eight more points, Yanga will mathematically reach 73 points, a figure that none of the other 15 clubs in the league can match.
The Lake Tanganyika giants will need to work extremely hard in the remaining games to avoid relegation after their loss to Mashujaa FC. Mashujaa FC has 23 points from 25 games, placing them in 14th place right now. If the club wins its final five games, they might theoretically reach 38 points. Miguel Gamondi, the head coach of Yanga, acknowledged that the game was difficult and gave his team credit for winning.
“It was a competitive match, and Mashujaa FC created a threat despite not having a shot on goal. Nonetheless, we were determined to secure three points, and we succeeded.” Our primary focus now shifts to the remaining matches,” Gamondi stated.
Yanga’s next match will be against Kagera Sugar at the Azam Complex on May 8 at 7pm, followed by an away game against Mtibwa Sugar on May 13 at 4 pm, and then against Dodoma Jiji FC at the Jamhuri Stadium on May 22 at 4 pm.
Yanga’s remaining fixtures are against Tabora United on May 25 at the Azam Complex, followed by Tanzania Prisons on May 28.
Meanwhile, the top teams, Simba and Azam FC, will face challenging opponents, Mtibwa Sugar and Tabora United, as the Mainland Tanzania Premier League continues in four venues.
Azam FC will travel to the Manungu Complex in Turiani, Morogoro region, to face Mtibwa Sugar at 4pm, while Simba will host Tabora United at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam at 6.15pm.
Other matches include Ihefu FC against Namungo FC at Liti Stadium in Singida region and Coastal Union against Tanzania Prisons at Mkwakwani Stadium at 8.30pm.
These matches are crucial for all eight teams to improve their standings in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League.
Azam FC aim to secure a victory to continue closing the gap on league leaders Yanga.
They are determined to extend their lead over third-placed Simba, who have 50 points from 24 matches.
Mtibwa Sugar are also looking for a win against Azam FC to avoid relegation, as they are currently at the bottom with 17 points from 24 matches.
