Yanga surrender to TP Mazembe

YOUNG Africans yesterday suffered a second consecutive defeat in the CAF Confederation Cup campaign following their 0-1 loss to Congolese giants TP Mazembe infront of their home supporters.

Mazembe’s Merveille Bope netted the solitary goal late in the second half to give the visitors precious maximum away points.

The defeat in the match played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, leaves Yanga in bottom of Group A without a single point from two matches. Having already gone down away to Algeria’s MO Bejaia earlier this month, Yanga hopes of claiming a semifinal berth now seem too slim.

They now need to win all their remaining four matches, which include two away encounters to have any chance of making it into the semifinals. Mazembe, in contrast, move to six points at the top of Group A, having opened their account with a 3-1 home win over Ghana’s Medeama earlier in the month.

The Algerian club Mouloudia will look to join the DRC side on six points, but must win in Ghana today to do so. Coach Hans van der Pluijm gave a staring role to new signings, Zambian striker, Obrey Chirwa and Juma Mahadhi and the Zambian had little impact.

In general, Yanga were not at their best and in the opening exchange, TP Mazembe put more players behind the ball giving the midfield duo of Thabani Kamusoko and Haruna Niyonzima hard time to drive the team forward.

Yanga kicked off the game promisingly with several efforts from Zimbabwean midfielder, Thabani Kamusoko, Juma Mahadhi and right wingback Juma Abdul, but the chances were either saved or went off target.

Abdul made a swerving attempt from a set piece just two minutes on but his effort sailed wide. Mazembe calmly started to fire-back with Jean Kasusula, Adama Traore, Rodger Assale and Tanzanian Thomas Ulimwengu started to harass their host’s defence.

However, Yanga defence marshalled by towering Togolese Vincent Bossou and Kelvin Yondani stood firm to protect goalkeeper Deogratius Munishi as they cleared the dangers.

Then it was an end to end affair and Yanga somewhat tried to control the tempo, but it was the visitors who threatened more whenever they pushed forward. The two sides went into the break with score being 0-0 and hundreds of thousands of Yanga fans who flocked the venue had little to cheer.

Surprisingly, there were also a good number of Simba supporters who backed the visitors despite being sandwiched into the sea of green and yellow colours. After the break, Yanga came up a little bit rejuvenated but its striking force lacked ideas with Zimbabwean Donald Ngoma, Deus Kaseke and Chirwa failing to click whenever in their opponent’s goalmouth.

Chirwa, signed from FC Platinum of Zimbabwe was replaced by Anthony Matheo in the 71st minute, while Godfrey Mwaishuya replaced Mahadhi. Mazembe also introduced Deo Kanda for Traore, the changes which gave the visitors much impetus. No wonder, Bope netted the winner in 73rd minute of the game following a defence mix up in an effort to clear a free kick.

The set piece was awarded by Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe, after Kelvin Yondani brought down Ulimwengu, who was charging into the goal, right at the edge of the box.

Mazembe nearly added the second in 84th minute, through Ulimwengu but the Taifa Stars striker failed to put the ball into the back of the net with only goalkeeper Munishi to beat by shooting wide.

Ulimwengu went past Yondani and Bossou and charged into the penalty box and Munishi came out for rescue but to the surprise of many, he shot high over the goal. Yanga’s next match will be against Ghanaian side Medeama on either July 15, 16 or 17 at home then they will travel to Ghana for a return leg clash on July 26. Mazembe and Bejaia will meet for a double-header, which is likely to decide the winner of the group next month.

The Algerians will play host on July 17, before the return game in Lubumbashi 10 days later. It was the first CAF away win this season for star-packed Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) club TP Mazembe posted.

The Lubumbashi ‘Ravens’ needed the help of an owngoal to hold Saint George in Ethiopia and were well beaten by Wydad Casablanca in Morocco in CAF Champions League qualifiers.

Demoted to the second-tier Confederation Cup after being eliminated by Wydad, Mazembe continued to struggle, losing to Stade Gabesien in Tunisia and scraping into the group stage on away goals.

Mazembe, the equal second most successful CAF club with nine titles, gave their best African display this season to beat visiting Medeama of Ghana 3-1 as the group stage kicked off.