Zanzibar. Young Africans SC kept their CAF Champions League quarter-final aspirations alive after holding African heavyweights Al Ahly to a 1–1 draw at the Amaan Stadium on Saturday, January 31.
In a match that demanded composure and discipline, Yanga produced spells of impressive football but ultimately fell short of the victory they sought, allowing the Egyptian giants to claim a valuable away point that maintains their grip on the group.
The hosts started cautiously, with the early exchanges lacking tempo as possession was frequently squandered during the build-up.
Head coach Pedro Gonçalves was a conspicuous presence on the touchline, his frustration evident as unforced errors disrupted Yanga’s rhythm in the opening half.
Yanga registered their first real threat in the 10th minute when Allan Okello struck powerfully from distance, forcing goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir into a sharp save.
The rebound fell to Chadrack Boka, who laid the ball off for Laurindo Aurélio ‘Depu’, but the forward’s effort drifted over the crossbar.
Pacome Zouzoua went close to opening the scoring in the 30th minute after gliding past Al Ahly defenders to create a one-on-one opportunity. Once again, Shoubir proved equal to the task, parrying the shot behind for a corner that came to nothing.
Al Ahly threatened shortly before the interval when Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizou’ broke into a dangerous position, but his attempted pass to captain Mahmoud Ibrahim ‘Trezeguet’ was intercepted by an alert Yanga defence.
Yanga’s persistence was rewarded on the stroke of half-time following a slick team move involving Okello, Depu and Zouzoua.
A partial clearance from the visitors’ defence fell to Ibrahim Abdullah ‘Bacca’, who displayed admirable composure to slot the ball home and give the hosts a deserved 1–0 lead at the break.
The second half brought a clear shift in momentum as Al Ahly returned with greater intensity and purpose.
Their sustained pressure paid dividends in the 59th minute when Aliou Dieng reacted quickest to a loose ball from a corner and fired a powerful shot past the Yanga goalkeeper to restore parity.
Both sides pressed for a decisive goal in the closing stages, but well-organised defences ensured clear-cut chances were scarce, and the contest ended in a hard-fought draw.
Yanga will now focus on a crucial away fixture against AS FAR Rabat in Morocco on February 7, 2026, before concluding their group-stage campaign at home against JS Kabylie on February 13, 2026, aware that their continental ambitions remain firmly within reach.
