Yanga head coach Pedro Goncalves appears to have found the perfect attacking combination by deploying his two forwards, Prince Dube and Laurindo Aurelio ‘Depu’, together.
The partnership has begun to bear fruit, with both players showing exceptional sharpness in domestic league matches and international competitions.
Goncalves started them together in the CAF Champions League match against JS Kabylie, where Yanga triumphed 3–0. Depu scored twice in that game, demonstrating his finishing prowess, while Dube provided the assist for the third goal.
They continued to start together in the CRDB Cup match against Cosmopolitan FC, but Dube suffered an ankle injury and had to be substituted at halftime.
In the following league match against Namungo FC, Dube was absent. Although Depu scored the lone winning goal, Yanga lacked the same attacking firepower they exhibited when both were on the field.
Dube returned for the clash against JKT Tanzania, starting alongside Depu, with both players finding the net.
In the first half, Goncalves used a 4-4-2 formation with the duo as central forwards. In the second half, after introducing Mohamed Damaro, he shifted to a 4-2-3-1 system, moving Dube to the left wing.
Dube’s runs caused problems for JKT Tanzania’s defenders, giving Depu more freedom. Depu scored the second goal, finishing off a cross from Israel Mwenda.
After Depu was substituted, Dube moved centrally as a striker and scored again, converting a cross from Buba.
Both Dube and Depu now have five league goals each, with Depu setting a record by scoring in every league match he has played so far — five goals in four games.
This partnership is shaping up to be Yanga’s new weapon this season, and fans believe that if they maintain this level, the club will be even stronger in their quest to defend the league title.
