TZW
First half goals from Pius Buswita and Hassan Kessy brightened the day for Yanga, but Nassoro Kapama pulled one back in the second half. It was the first victory for Yanga against Ndanda at the Nangwanda Sijaona Stadium and the Jangwani Street lads closed the gap with leaders Simba.
Following their victory, Yanga have consolidated their second position with 40 points and are five-point adrift Simba. Yanga have never posted a win there since Ndanda were promoted to the premiership four seasons ago.
Still Ndanda looked superior to their visitors in terms of footwork, flair and versatility. Former Taifa Stars player, Mrisho Ngasa who was the best player of the match, seemed to have regained the form and he was the one who carved the assist that earned his team a consolation in the early minutes of the second half.
Yanga started on a front foot and just six minutes into the game, Buswita raced to a flicked ball by Emmanuel Martin and slipped the ball through the hands of goalkeeper, Jeremiah Kisubi. It all started from Kessy, whose spinning cross was flicked by Martin.
A minute later Yanga keeper, Youthe Rostand had to stretch beyond limit and punched away a smart ball initiated by Ngasa to a fruitless corner kick. In the 20th minute, Ibrahim Ajib’s dipping shot was brilliantly finger tipped over the bar by the keeper. Ndanda almost hit back in the 23rd minute when keeper Rostand dived to a William Lucian’s cross, but failed to hold the ball as Yanga survived by a whisker Yanga survived another scare in the 27th minute but referee, Florentine Zablon, ignored a penalty shot, as it seemed keeper Rostand had fouled a goal bound striker Nassor Kapama. Immediately thereafter, Yanga were 2-0 up with a stunning goal by Kessy.
The right wingback curled a shot after turning a defender inside out from a striking position. Referee ignored another penalty call by Yanga after Emmanuel Martin was fouled by the advancing goalkeeper. In the 37th minute, Yanga were awarded a penalty after John George had handled the ball in the box, in an attempt to clear Martin’s cross inside the area.
Congolese midfielder, Pappy Kabamba Tshishimbi stepped up, but keeper easily collected his low shot. On the restart, Ndanda started strongly and were rewarded in the 46th minute - Kapama tapping home a clever pass from Ngasa. After the goal, Ndanda looked sharp and were all over the pitch in search for an equaliser, but they failed to turn the chances they created into goals in the second half.
Yanga introduced Geoffrey Mwashiuya for Tshishimbi and Yusuf Mhilu for Emmanuel Martin, while Ndanda brought in Baraka Magoro for John George, but they could change nothing. In the 81st minute, outstanding Ngasa was fouled at the edge of the box, but Ndanda wasted the opportunity. Two minutes later, Ndanda struck the top bar and it was a nervy finish for Yanga as Ndanda fought tooth and nail in search of an equaliser.