Favoruites Yanga had their march towards a record 23rd Mainland Premier League checked by Mgambo JKT, after the champion-elect were made to toil for a 1-1 draw in an exciting encounter at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga on Wednesday.
Yanga players
Yanga head coach Ernest Brandts had called on his players to maintain their momentum towards securing the top flight title with a victory over Mgambo JKT but the hosts, who are still battling against the drop, put in a spirited display and fully deserved their point.
Mgambo were heading for what would have been a great result, when Issa Kanduru gave them a first-half lead with a fine effort before Yanga left it too late to rescue a point thanks to Nizar Khalfan’s 86th minute strike. With the draw, Yanga moved six points clear at the top of the table with nine points to play for.
They are top of the table with 53 points after 23 games, with Azam in second place on 47 points, having also played 23 games. The results left Mgambo tenth in the league standings with 25 points from 23 outings and are three points clear of the relegation zone, with only two games to play.
Stewart Hall’s Azam FC had waved the white flag in the title race when they drew 2-2 with dethroned champions Simba on Sunday. Four points from the remaining three games will mathematically ensure the title heads back to Jangwani Street from Msimbazi Street–the home of dethroned champions and their traditional archrivals Simba.
Yanga had cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against Mgambo in the first round match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam October 31, last year, but the going was not as smooth on Wednesday. Fullzulu Maganga and Issa Kanduru made several attempts and went close in a couple of occasions as Mgambo asserted themselves in the opening exchanges.
Yanga goalkeeper Ali Mustafa had to be alert to keep the hosts at the bay. Simon Msuva had Yanga’s first meaningful shot skewed wide before Nadir Haroub looped a header off target. With Yanga seemingly growing into the game, Mgambo waged two attacks architected by Maganga and Sunday Magoja but the hosts could not take their chances.
The game turned an end-to-end affair and Yanga forced a futile corner before Nizar Khalfan squandered his team’s best chance, when he shot awkwardly wide with only Mgambo goalkeeper to beat. Frank Domayo drew fine save from Mgambo goalkeeper Godson Mmasa, shortly before the half hour mark with a stunning volley from the edge of the box.
As the game approached the final quarter of the first half, it was the visitors who were carving out most of the openings and Mmasa was called into action a couple of times. Yanga defence was caught napping when Kanduru put Mgambo ahead shortly before the breather with a close range effort, finishing off a good work by teammate, Nassoro Gumbo.
Brandts reacted by sending on Said Bahanuzi, with Hamis Kiiza, who had proved ineffective taking his place on the bench. The champion-elect headed for the breather a goal down. A more determined home side came out for the second 45 minutes and they nearly extended their advantage just after the interval, but Mustafa was up to the task and helped keep his team in the game.
Moments later Brandts took a desperate move to reinvigorate his side when he sent on Nurdin Bakari and Haruna Niyonzima but the visitors still struggled to price open a watertight Mgambo defence. Yanga never stopped trying to get back in the game, but could not find a way past an impressive Mmasa and the league leaders were running out of ideas.
But finally they succeeded to find the breakthrough as Khalfan scored in the 86th minute to level the score after being set up by Simon Msuva.
Source Tanzania Daily News
