Yanga overpower Mafunzo in Mapinduzi Cup opener

TANZANIA Mainland champions, Young Africans SC humiliated Isles Champions, with a 3-0 beating in the opening match of this year’s Mapinduzi Cup at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

The Zimbabwean striker Donald Ngoma netted double and Paul Nonga added the third to give the team a comfortable victory. Mafunzo played well in early minutes and looked determined to hold Yanga.

But the two goals scored in a span of three minutes, dealt them a blow. Thabani Kamusoko’s solo efforts from right flank helped Yanga score the opener in 31st minute of the game.

Kamusoka sent a ground pass that Donald Ngoma slammed home past Khalid Mahadhi. The agile Zimbabwean striker doubled the lead for his side three minutes later when he once again utilized his compatriot’s Kamusoko penetration pass into the box which met him unchallenged to easily find back of the yawning net with goalie Mhadhi beaten.

Ngoma’s goals, however came after Yanga had squandered several scoring chances in the first half. Kamusoko, Ngoma and Amis Tambwe wasted their scoring opportunities in the 12th, 27th and 29th minutes, all had only goalie Mahadhi to beat. The winners’ third goal was netted in by a substitute, Paul Nonga who came in the second half for Simon Msuva.

Nonga easily slammed the ball into back of the net in the 89th minute from a rebound after Geoffrey Mwashiuya’s blockbuster was punched by goalkeeper Mahadhi. Geoffrey Mwaishuya came in after Amis Tambwe was benched a minute earlier.

In the 17th minute Mafunzo’s Said Musa nearly put the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear Yanga’s overlapping fullback Juma Abdul, but luckily, the ball went out few inches from the goal for an abortive corner.

The hosts Mafunzo who commenced the group B opening game eager to stun their opponents with an early surprise goal, narrowly missed the opener in early minutes, but Young Africans goalkeeper, Deogratius Munishi denied them. The winners’ missed chances include that of the 27th minute when Kamusoko’s powerful shot was punched to safety by Mahadhi.

The freekick was awarded to Yanga after Samir Nuhu fouled Ngoma outside the box. Despite losing the match, Mafunzo had their best moments of the game. They mounted pressure on their opponents and nearly got a consolation goal. Ali Juma had himself to blame after wasting a golden chance by shooting a few inches off target in the late 36th minute.

The teams went for a breather with Yanga leading 2-0. The second half saw both sides making changes with Yanga introducing in Jerome Sina and Geoffrey Mwaishuya for Kamusoko and Deus Kaseke. In the 58th minute Mafunzo introduced Shaaban Ali and Haji Ramadhan who replaced Sadick Habib and Samih Nuru respectively. They also benched Hassan Ahmada for Haji Abdi.

In the 70th minute Zimbabwean Thabani of Young Africans went out and was replaced by Jerome Sina. They also benched Deus Kaseke and called in Geoffrey Mwashiuya. And in the 80th minute, referee Mfaume Ali awarded a spot kick to Mafunzo after Kelvin Yondani had been brought down into the box by Shaaban Seleman who was charging into the goal, but unfortunately Said Musa’s ground shot was saved by goalkeeper Munishi.

Later in the night yesterday Azam FC was scheduled to take on Mtibwa Sugar at the same venue and as per the tournament fixture today Simba will take on Jamhuri and Uganda’s URA will play against Zanzibar’s JKU.

Line-up -- Yanga: Deogratius Munishi Dida, Mbuyu Twitte, Juma Abdul, Oscar Joshua, Pato Ngonyani, Kelvin Yondani, Simon Msuva,Thabani Kamusoko/Jerome Sina, Donald Ngoma, Deus Kaseke/Joffrey Mwashiuya. Mafunzo: Khalid Mahadhi, Juma Mmanga, Samir Nuru/Haji Ramadhan, Kheri Salum, Hassan Juma, Abdul Hassan, Ali Juma, Sadick Habib/Shaaban Ali, Mohamed Ali and Ally Mmanga.