Yanga to retain Mwamnyeto as they eye Ugandan player

Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) members and fans have a reason to smile following a report that the club leadership have agreed to extend a two-year contract with their team captain, Bakari Mwamnyeto.

Despite the fact that Mwamnyeto, who joined Yanga in the 2020/2021 season from Coastal Union, is yet to sign a new contract with the Mainland champions, the report received yesterday by The Citizen had it that the two parts had agreed on the extension of the contract.

 A source within the club revealed that the matter is now settled and Mwamnyeto, the Jangwani Street giants' captain, will stay at the club for the next two seasons.

“We said before that any potential or key player at the club will not leave to join another club. So, there is no need for Yanga members and fans to feel pressured about their key players joining other clubs. We have strategies in place to strengthen the team to perform at their best next season in all competitions.

“How can you allow your key players, who have made the team members and fans proud, to join other clubs? We still need success in the coming seasons; we want to dominate football on the continent,” said the source.

Mwamnyeto was on the radar of the Jangwani giants’ traditional rivals, Simba, as well as other teams from South Africa and Morocco. The player’s manager, Carlos Sylivester, confirmed that they have agreed with Yanga to renew the contract for two years.

“I can say that the matter is settled as we have agreed to renew his contract with Yanga. Everything is okay, and I can confirm that Mwamnyeto will play for Yanga for the next two seasons,” said Carlos.

Meanwhile, Yanga are said to be in negotiations with Uganda’s attacking midfielder, Hassan Ssenyonjo, who plays for Wakiso Giants in the Uganda Premier League.

According to the information received by The Citizen, Ssenyonjo, who also plays for Uganda's national football team, The Cranes, will be in Dar es Salaam in a few days to negotiate the deal.

The source said that Yanga plan to strengthen their midfield position and that, apart from playing in an attacking midfield role, Ssenyonjo can also play as a defensive midfielder.

Yanga already have three players in that position: Khalid Aucho, Salum “Sure Boy” Abubakar, and Zawadi Mauya.

“Yanga aim to have potential players in every department, and that’s why they are searching for them,” said the source.