Dar es Salaam. As the early-season transfer window edges closer to opening, Yanga SC are quietly plotting a major boost to their striking options, refusing to enter the new year relying solely on Prince Dube, while Clement Mzize remains sidelined with injury.
Inside sources have revealed that the club’s management table is stacked with four names, each vying to fill the void and secure the coach Pedro Goncalves’ blessing.
Goncalves has made it clear to the board that the team urgently needs a high-quality forward to share the attacking burden.
Currently, Andy Boyeli, who arrived on loan from South Africa, has struggled to replicate his impressive form from Zambia’s Power Dynamos and Sekhukhune United, scoring only two league goals so far.
His slow start has led the management to reconsider his loan’s continuation, with calculations being made about a potential early return to South Africa.
Meanwhile, Prince Dube continues to carry the attack, his contract secure and his form consistent, but relying solely on him and an injured Mzize is no longer an option for a team with ambitions both locally and continentally.
Goncalves has demanded at least one more lethal striker, and preliminary contacts have already been made with four different forwards.
Among the candidates is Laurindo Laurindo Dilson Maria Aurélio, famously known as ‘Depu,’ whose scoring prowess has been well-documented in Europe.
Depu, currently at Radomiak Radom in Poland after a spell at Vojvodina in Serbia, scored eight goals last season, showcasing both strength and intelligence in attack.
Former Yanga defender Joyce Lomalisa Mutambala, now at Sagrada Esperança in Angola, described him as one of the finest forwards available.
“Since he began playing competitive football, he’s always been a forward with a killer instinct.
If Yanga get him, they’ll have a real weapon,” Lomalisa said, adding, “He knows how to finish, has power, and the ability to outsmart defenders he could reach the sharpness of Fiston Mayele.”
Another strong option comes from Cameroon, a striker currently playing for Stade Malien, Taddeus Nkeng, aged 25, who famously scored twice against Simba SC in the CAF Champions League.
Yanga have opened negotiations with Stade Malien, who have reportedly been cooperative and set out clear terms for Nkeng’s potential transfer.
The only hurdle is his CAF competition eligibility, but the club remains optimistic about finalising a deal quickly.
Two additional forwards from Ivory Coast and DR Congo are also being discussed quietly behind the scenes.
Their identities remain confidential, but they are understood to meet Goncalves’ criteria of power, tactical awareness, and continental experience.
The coach has been given the final word on who will join Dube and Mzize, with Boyeli’s future being weighed carefully in the decision-making process.
Inside sources suggest the board is carefully balancing performance, experience, and financial prudence.
While Boyeli’s reputation preceded him with flair and a strong scoring record in Zambia, his adaptation to Tanzanian football has been slower than expected, prompting urgent evaluation.
Pedro Goncalves is determined to ensure the team has the tools to challenge on multiple fronts.
“We cannot go into the new season hoping Prince Dube will do it all,” one insider revealed. “We need someone who can change games on their own and complement the existing squad.”
Depu’s European pedigree and Nkeng’s African experience seem to offer contrasting but equally promising options.
Depu brings finishing precision, strength, and an intelligent attacking mind, while Nkeng offers youthful energy, continental familiarity, and a proven record in CAF competitions.
Goncalves’ choice will not just affect the starting eleven—it could define Yanga’s competitive edge this season.
The final decision could come any day now, with the management ready to act immediately once Goncalves selects his preferred striker.
Sources indicate that the window may see one signing completed rapidly, adding an element of surprise and excitement to the club’s transfer strategy.
Yanga’s fanbase is waiting with bated breath.
A single addition could transform the team’s attacking potency, balancing experience with youth, and creating a squad capable of mounting a serious title challenge.
The question remains: which of the four prospects will get the nod?
One thing is certain: Yanga are not leaving their forward line to chance.
With careful scouting, strategic negotiations, and Goncalves’ final word, the coming days promise major developments that could shift the balance in Tanzanian football.
