Africa-Press – Tanzania. YOUNG Africans completed their two lined-up friendlies in Zanzibar on a gas pedal after defeating KMKM 2-1 in a packed Amaan Stadium on Friday night.
A late bicycle kick goal from substitute Fiston Mayele was enough to enable the Jangwani street-based club finish their mission successfully prior to the resumption of the Premier League.
They, however, had to crawl from behind to produce a remarkable comeback after Optatus Lupekenya had put the hosts upfront in the 20th minute, using well defensive blunders committed by Yanga center-back, Abdallah Shaibu ‘Ninja’.
However, the goal did not upset Nasreddine Nabi’s side as they composed themselves until in the 27th minute when Jesus Moloko headed home from a close range, utilising an assist delivered by Deus Kaseke.
At 1-1, the game was balanced with KMKM causing trouble after trouble thereby; forcing Yanga’s shot-stopper Eric Johola to be the busiest player, making great saves to keep his side safe.
As the clock was fast ticking, coach Nabi called in Mayele for Heritier Makambo and it was him who saved his club in the 85th minute to enable his team win both fixtures they played.
On Tuesday, at the same arena, Yanga stamped a slim 1-0 win over Mlandege with Makambo netting the winner in another difficult encounter for the visitors.
The games were arranged as part of commemorating President Hussein Mwinyi’s one year in office hence; giving people of Zanzibar what they like most in terms of entertainment.
On the other hand, Yanga seemed to have also benefited a lot from the friendlies by providing match fitness to their players ahead of the competitive clashes approaching.
According to the available premier league fixture, Nabi’s men will travel to Lindi to face Namungo on November 20th at Ilulu Stadium before proceeding to take on Mbeya Kwanza at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya a week later. However, after the two matches, the current league leaders will return to face Simba in the Dar es Salaam Derby tie at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in the city. This will be the second time this season for them to play as they previously met in a Community Shield match at the same venue in the match that Yanga won 1-0 and Mayele registered his first goal on the day.
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