Dar es Salaam. Young Africans SC (Yanga) are one win away from retaining their FA Cup crown after a commanding 2-0 semifinal victory over JKT Tanzania at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga on Sunday, May 18, 2025, — a result that now sets up the tantalizing possibility of a Kariakoo Derby final.
Goals from Prince Dube and Mudathir Yahya sealed the win for Yanga, who showcased tactical discipline, intelligent movement, and relentless pressure to dispatch JKT with authority.
It was a performance that underlined their pedigree as defending champions, and one that now shifts attention to who they’ll meet in the final: arch-rivals Simba SC or dark horses Singida Black Stars.
Having drawn 0-0 in their last league encounter with JKT, Yanga approached this tie with precision.
Coach Hamdi Miloud stuck to his reliable 4-2-3-1 formation, anchoring the midfield with Maxi Nzengeli and Stephane Aziz Ki while giving fullbacks the freedom to surge forward.
The approach paid off. Yanga dominated possession and tempo, with intricate passing and sharp transitions exposing JKT’s defensive gaps.
Their breakthrough came in the 41st minute when Dube, a persistent threat all evening, broke the deadlock after sustained pressure.
Yanga’s control extended beyond the ball.
Even when out of possession, they pressed with purpose, closed spaces, and denied JKT any real foothold in the final third.
Goalkeeper Yakoub produced several key saves to keep JKT in it, but the resistance eventually broke.
In the dying moments, Mudathir Yahya capped off a flowing move with an 88th-minute goal, confirming Yanga’s place in the final in style.
“It was a mature and measured performance,” said coach Miloud. “Our discipline, tempo, and controlled aggression made the difference.”
Yanga now await the outcome of the second semifinal, set for May 31, between Simba SC and Singida Black Stars.
A Simba win would ignite yet another Kariakoo Derby — one of the fiercest rivalries in African football — while a Singida upset would script a classic underdog tale.
One thing is certain: Yanga are ready.
The FA Cup final is scheduled between June 26–28, and no matter the opponent, the defending champions look sharp, focused, and hungry for back-to-back glory.
