Yanga reserve energy for Simba

YOUNG Africans battled to a 1-1 draw against Comoro’s Ngaya de Mde in their CAF Champions League return leg preliminary round clash at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
It seemed as if the Jangwani Street lads were reserving energy for their next weekend’s Mainland Premier League clash against archrivals Simba, as they slowed down their tempo yesterday. Despite the draw, Yanga progressed into the first round of the continental top tier clubs championship on 6-2 aggregate.
This follows a 5-1 away win over Comoro side Ngaya in the first leg of their preliminary round tie a week ago. Goals from Justin Zullu, Simon Msuva, Obrey Chirwa, Amissi Tambwe and Thaban Kamusoko apiece wrapped a massive win for Zambian George Lwandamina’s side at the Stade de Moroni.
In the first round, Yanga will face Zambia’s Zanaco, who dumped out Rwandan champions APR. Zanaco won 1-0 in the return leg clash at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda yesterday. The two sides settled for a goalless draw in their first leg clash in Lusaka last Saturday.
The first round ties will be played next month over two legs on the weekend of March 10-12, with the return match scheduled a week later. In the match, the Comoro Island champions were facing an uphill task to overturn a massive defeat they suffered in-front of their supporters in the first leg tie in Moroni.
To eliminate Yanga from the continental tournament, the visitors were required to score four unanswered goals.
It was certainly difficult for them, especially with Yanga playing at home with thousands of their supporters backing them. However, to the surprise of many at the venue, the visitors took the lead in the 19th minute, through Zahir Mohammed, whose power packed shot beat goalkeeper, Deogratius Munishi.

After conceding, Yanga committed more bodies upfront in search for an equaliser and they created several clear cut scoring opportunities. After several half chances, Yanga managed to pull level two minutes before the break, when left wingback Mwinyi Hajji Mngwali’s 25 metre stunner beat the keeper, Said Mmadi. He was set through by central defender Kelvin Yondani.
Zambian striker Obrey Chirwa missed a sitter in the 48th and 51st minutes. Emmanuel Martin also wasted a golden opportunity to score a winning goal in the 56th minute, shooting wide with only keeper to beat. Coach Lwandamina called off Martin and introduced Juma Mahadhi.
Immediately after being put into the fray, Mahadhi also wasted a clear opportunity to score after an hour mark. Right wing back Hassan Kessy was also introduced, to replace Juma Abdul (71), while Deus Kaseke was replaced by Said Juma Makapu in the 81st minute. The match was officiated by Ugandan Alex Muhabi Nsulumbi and his assistants Ronald Kakenya and Lee Okello and the match commissioner was Monnyenyone Lucas Nhlapo from South Africa.
Meanwhile, Zanaco defied the odds to beat hosts APR at Stade Amahoro in Kigali on Saturday to advance to the first round of the 2017 CAF Champions League. Zanaco defeated the Rwanda champions 1-0 thanks to a 17th minute goal from defender Taonga Bwembya.
It was a dream debut goal from Bwembya who has just joined Zanaco this season from Mufulira Wanderers. The result sees Zanaco advance 1-0 on aggregate after overcoming the pressure of a 0-0 first leg result at home in Lusaka on February 11.
However, APR continue to stumble on the first hurdle dating back 2005 when they eliminated Green Buffaloes to reach the CAF Confederation Cup pre-group stage.