Dar es Salaam. In a disappointing turn of events for Young Africans (Yanga SC), they suffered their second consecutive defeat in the CAF Champions League, succumbing to a 2-0 loss against MC Alger in an intense match at the iconic 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers on Saturday.
This defeat, coming just days after a similar 2-0 loss to Al Hilal of Sudan, leaves the Tanzanian giants struggling at the bottom of Group A, yet to earn a single point after two rounds.
With their hopes of advancing now hanging by a thread, Yanga SC faces a difficult road ahead in this prestigious continental competition.
A bright start, but a fateful second half
The match began with Yanga showing promising signs, especially in the opening 45 minutes.
The Tanzanians were disciplined, organized, and defended well, pressing high against MC Alger.
The home side was playing their first match of the group stages without spectators, following a CAF-imposed ban due to previous crowd disturbances.
Despite the absence of a fan base, MC Alger still carried the psychological advantage of playing at home, but Yanga remained resilient, determined to make a statement.
Yanga controlled possession and created a few half-chances, with Kennedy Musonda and Maxi Nzengeli displaying moments of individual brilliance.
However, they were unable to break the deadlock.
MC Alger’s defense held firm, and while Yanga demonstrated clear tactical discipline, it became evident that they lacked the clinical edge in the final third — a flaw that would ultimately come back to haunt them.
Missed opportunities and a desperate push
After MC Alger opened the scoring, Yanga pressed forward in search of an equalizer.
Despite their efforts, they were unable to generate significant chances.
Musonda and Nzengeli, two of the team’s key attacking players, squandered several opportunities, with both guilty of poor finishing when it mattered most.
The delivery into the box also lacked precision, allowing the Algerian defense to clear any potential threats with ease.
What was most concerning, however, was Yanga’s inability to test the MC Alger goalkeeper.
They ended the match without registering a single shot on target — a damning statistic that underscored their attacking inefficiency.
As the clock wound down, the Tanzanians became increasingly desperate, but their lack of composure allowed more space for the hosts to exploit.
A defensive mistake leads to the second goal
With the match nearing its conclusion, just when it seemed Yanga might at least salvage a draw, disaster struck.
In the final minute of regular time, a catastrophic defensive mix-up between Yanga’s central defender Bakari Mwamnyeto and goalkeeper Djigui Diara allowed substitute Soufiane Bayazid to steal the ball and score.
The mistake started when Mwamnyeto misjudged a long ball over the top, allowing Bayazid to take advantage of the confusion.
Diara rushed out to clear the ball but misread the situation, colliding with Mwamnyeto and leaving the goal wide open.
Bayazid, quick to pounce, collected the ball and slotted it past the stranded goalkeeper, sealing the 2-0 victory for MC Alger.
This late goal was a bitter blow for Yanga, as it not only secured the three points for the hosts but also highlighted the visitors’ inability to manage high-pressure moments.
A tough road trip to TP Mazembe
Looking ahead, Yanga faces a daunting challenge as they travel to DR Congo to take on TP Mazembe on December 14.
With their vast continental experience and formidable home advantage, TP Mazembe will prove to be a tough test for the Tanzanians, who will need to regroup and raise their performance levels to have any chance of progressing from the group stage.
A positive result against TP Mazembe is now crucial for Yanga SC if they are to keep their hopes alive in the competition.
The team must improve their finishing, tighten up defensively, and show greater composure in key moments if they are to turn their fortunes around.
Time is running out, and with two losses already on the board, the pressure is mounting for the Tanzanian side to recover before it’s too late.
