Dar es Salaam. The defending champions of the NBC (Tanzania Mainland) Premier League, Yanga, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, climbed back to the top of the league standings after securing a 4-0 victory over Kagera Sugar, pushing Simba down from the top spot.
Yanga’s return to the top was due to their accumulated 42 points, two more than Simba, who have 40 points and will play against Tabora United on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium in Tabora.
Yanga’s climb back to the summit marks the end of a 86-day wait since they last held the top position on November 7, 2024, when they were defeated 3-1 by Tabora United.
Since that defeat, the top spot has been alternated between Azam and Simba, with Simba holding it for an extended period until Yanga reclaimed it on Saturday.
The match, held at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam, saw Yanga dominate early on, showcasing their desire for an opening goal through precise passing towards the opponent’s goal.
However, Kagera Sugar defended resolutely and launched counter-attacks.
The Kagera Sugar midfield, led by Nasoro Kapama, managed to slow down Yanga’s offensive play by cutting off many through passes.
Despite this, Yanga broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when forward Clement Mzize blasted a powerful shot into the net after receiving a pass from Stephane Aziz Ki.
The goal came after Kagera Sugar’s defense, which was passing the ball in their danger zone, was intercepted by Yanga’s midfielders.
The ball was played through several Yanga players before finding the back of the net.
After scoring the goal, Yanga pressed on and, just three minutes later, earned a penalty when Mudathir Yahya was fouled inside the box.
Kagera Sugar’s goalkeeper, Ramadhan Chalamanda, became the hero, saving Stephane Aziz Ki’s penalty in the 35th minute.
This was the second time this season that Ki missed a penalty, having also done so on November 7, 2024, during their 3-1 defeat to Tabora United at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam.
As the second half approached, Yanga’s coach Sead Ramovic made a substitution, bringing in Pacome Zouzoua for Israel Mwenda, who had been playing on the wing.
Zouzoua’s introduction helped Yanga to intensify their attacks.
In the 60th minute, Mudathir Yahya scored from the box after a pass from Prince Dube, giving Yanga a 2-0 lead.
In the 78th minute, Pacome Zouzoua converted a penalty after Maxi Nzengeli was fouled inside the box.
Yanga’s fourth goal came in the 87th minute when Kennedy Musonda scored a header following a short corner taken by Kibwana Shomari and Maxi.
Kagera Sugar struggled to create significant chances, which allowed Yanga’s defense to play with little pressure throughout most of the match.
This defeat leaves Kagera Sugar in 15th place in the Premier League standings, with 11 points from 16 matches two wins, five draws, and nine losses.
Meanwhile, Yanga sit comfortably at the top with 42 points from 16 matches, having won 14, lost two, and scored 36 goals while conceding only six.
Next, Yanga will host KenGold on February 5, 2025, while Kagera Sugar will travel to face Singida Black Stars on February 6, 2025.
