Dar es Salaam. Yanga have decided to move from Azam Complex in Chamazi after suffering two consecutive defeats to Azam FC and Tabora United.
Today, they will play their first-ever Premier League home match at the KMC Complex, hosting Mashujaa from Kigoma.
Yanga had an unbeaten run in their previous eight matches, but this was shattered when they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Azam, followed by a 3-1 defeat to Tabora United.
In response to these results, the club announced it would leave Azam Complex, their previous home ground, and will now be using the KMC Complex, which is shared with the hosts KMC and fellow giants Simba.
The match kicks off at 4:00 PM, and Yanga will host Mashujaa, a team with a challenging task ahead.
Mashujaa will be looking to prove their mettle and build on the momentum that teams like Azam and Tabora have gained in their home encounters against top clubs.
This match is particularly crucial for Yanga, as they aim to defend their title in the ongoing league season.
Currently, Yanga hold the fourth position in the standings with 27 points.
Mashujaa, on the other hand, is in seventh place with 19 points and will be hoping for a win to ensure they finish the first half of the season strongly before transitioning into the second half, which will consist of another 15 matches.
This will be the third league encounter between Yanga and Mashujaa, with Yanga winning both of their previous meetings in the last season.
The first victory came at home with a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Maxi Nzengeli and Mudathir Yahya, while Emmanuel Mtumbuka scored for Mashujaa.
In the return fixture, Yanga won 1-0 away with a goal from Joseph Guede, who is no longer part of the squad.
Despite their excellent record against Mashujaa, Yanga have faced some recent challenges, having failed to win two of their last five league matches.
They were defeated 3-1 by Tabora United and 1-0 by Azam, although they managed to secure victories over Namungo (2-0), Singida Black Stars (1-0), and Coastal Union (1-0).
After playing two difficult Champions League matches, Yanga return to the domestic league missing some key players who are sidelined due to injuries.
These include Djigui Diarra, Clatous Chama, Maxi Nzengeli, and Kennedy Musonda.
The absence of these influential players is expected to lead to some tactical changes in the lineup, giving other squad members an opportunity to step up and make a difference.
Coach Sead Ramovic, however, remains confident that the players available will be ready to put in a solid performance.
He has emphasized the importance of the match and expects his team to fight for the three points necessary to keep their title defense on track.
As of now, Yanga have scored 16 goals and conceded just four in the league this season.
Their offensive strength is heavily reliant on the midfield, with key contributions coming from Maxi Nzengeli (3 goals), Pacome Zouzoua (3 goals), Clatous Chama (1 goal), and Aziz Ki (1 goal).
These players have also combined to provide 11 assists, highlighting the team’s depth in attacking options.
On the other hand, Mashujaa have struggled in recent games, failing to win any of their last three league matches.
They were held to three consecutive draws, and in two of those matches, they failed to score at all.
Despite this, Mashujaa possess key players who can cause problems for any opponent.
David Ulomi and Ismail Mgunda, both important attacking figures, have each scored two goals this season, with Mgunda also contributing three assists, meaning he has been directly involved in four goals for the team.
In defense, Mashujaa are also solid, with goalkeeper Patrick Munthary having recorded an impressive eight clean sheets in 14 matches.
This shows that Yanga will need to work extra hard to break down Mashujaa’s defense, as Munthary is a difficult goalkeeper to beat, and his form could be a key factor in today’s match.
Yanga’s head coach, Sead Ramovic, shared his thoughts ahead of the match: “We’ve just completed three tough Champions League games, and now our focus is back on the Premier League.”
He added: “We are determined to defend our title, and I’ve stressed the importance of today’s match to the players. They understand how crucial the three points are, and they are ready for the challenge ahead.
“We are aware of the opportunity to do well, but that doesn’t mean we take our opponents lightly. We are preparing thoroughly, and I trust that the players will execute everything we’ve practiced. We are expecting a competitive and tough match, and we are ready to fight for the win.”
On the other hand, Mashujaa’s head coach, Mohamed Abdallah ‘Bares’ said: “We have a couple of players dealing with injuries, but they are recovering well, and the rest of the team is ready for the game.”
Adding: “We have given each player specific roles to play, and we expect them to carry out their responsibilities on the pitch.”
“We’ve had three draws in our last four matches, and while these results are not ideal, they are not disastrous either.
“We respect Yanga as a top team, but we will also take advantage of any opportunities that come our way. Against big teams, it’s crucial to capitalize on the chances you get.
“Yanga still boast a strong squad, and we know that we will need to work hard to neutralize their strengths, particularly in the attacking areas where they are most dangerous.”
