Dodoma Jiji produced one of the standout results of the Mainland Premier League season after stunning Young Africans 3-2 in a dramatic encounter played today, May 13, 2026 at the Airtel Stadium in Singida, a result that not only reshaped the league table but also brought an end to one of the most impressive unbeaten runs.
The defeat marked the first time Yanga had lost a league match this season, having arrived into the fixture on the back of an extraordinary 22-match unbeaten campaign this term and a wider run of 42 consecutive league games without defeat stretching back to last season.
Their previous league loss had come against TRA United, a result that now feels distant given their sustained dominance in domestic competition since then.
Despite entering the match as heavy favourites, Yanga started brightly and appeared in full control during the opening stages.
Their early dominance was rewarded almost immediately when midfielder Allan Okello opened the scoring in the second minute, calmly finishing from close range after a well-delivered cross from Yao Kouassi on the right flank.
The early breakthrough seemed to reinforce expectations that the champions would once again extend their unbeaten run with authority.
Okello, who had been crowned Player of the Month just a day earlier, continued to underline his importance to the side by doubling Yanga’s advantage in the 41st minute.
The goal came after a slick attacking move involving Maxi Nzengeli, whose precise pass split the defence and allowed Okello to finish clinically, giving Yanga what looked like a comfortable two-goal cushion heading into the break.
However, the momentum of the match began to shift midway through the first half when Dodoma Jiji found a way back into the contest.
In the 28th minute, Yanga captain Bakari Mwamnyeto inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to deal with a dangerous delivery from William Edgar.
The own goal injected belief into Dodoma Jiji and disrupted Yanga’s rhythm at a crucial stage of the match.
The incident also appeared to have a psychological impact on goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who was visibly frustrated after conceding and was denied what would have been his second clean sheet against Dodoma Jiji this season.
In the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, Edgar had also been the difference-maker, scoring the only goal in a match that Yanga won 3-1.
Yanga’s evening took another worrying turn in the 38th minute when Diarra was forced off due to injury.
The Mali international was replaced by Hussein Masalanga, and his departure seemed to further unsettle the defending champions as they lost a key figure in goal during a critical phase of the game.
As the second half unfolded, Dodoma Jiji grew in confidence and began to push higher up the pitch, sensing vulnerability in the Yanga defence.
Their persistence eventually paid off in the 88th minute when Dickson Ambundo produced a moment of individual brilliance, dribbling past defenders before slotting home the equaliser to silence the Yanga supporters and set up a tense finale.
Earlier, Yanga had opportunities to put the game beyond reach, but a combination of wasteful finishing and poor decision-making proved costly.
Maxi Nzengeli, Prince Dube, and Pacome Zouzoua all spurned clear chances that could have sealed the result long before the closing stages, leaving the door open for a late turnaround.
That failure to capitalise was punished in the most dramatic fashion possible. Deep into stoppage time in the 90th minute, Dodoma Jiji struck again through Waziri Junior, who took advantage of defensive lapses to score the decisive third goal and complete a memorable comeback victory.
The result not only handed Dodoma Jiji three valuable points, lifting them to seventh place on the table with 32 points, but also ended Yanga’s historic unbeaten league run.
It is a result that will be remembered for years, as it halted a 42-match streak without defeat and sent shockwaves through the title race.
Attention now shifts to Yanga’s next assignment in the FA Cup quarter-finals against JKT Tanzania, a fixture set to be played at the Meja Jenerali Isamuhyo Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
It will mark yet another appearance at the venue in a short span of time for the reigning league and cup champions, who are now tasked with responding quickly to a rare and painful setback in their otherwise dominant campaign.
