Yesterday, as Yanga prepared to face Pamba Jiji at CCM Kirumba Stadium, there was a notable change in goal, with Hussein Masalanga starting ahead of expectations. Many had anticipated Aboutwalib Mshery to begin the match, but he was unavailable due to a late setback, leaving U20 goalkeeper Semsey on the bench.
However, Masalanga’s performance in goal quickly made fans forget it was his first league appearance since joining Yanga on loan from Singida BS during the mid-season transfer window.
After Djigui Diarra received a three-match suspension, some believed Yanga would struggle in the goalkeeping department, but the reality has been quite the opposite.
In all the matches Mshery has played this season, he has not conceded a single goal, and Masalanga also kept a clean sheet in his debut appearance.
It is fair to say that Yanga currently boast remarkable depth in the goalkeeping position, with Diarra’s presence pushing his fellow goalkeepers to maintain high standards.
At the moment, there is virtually no difference whether Diarra, Mshery, or Masalanga starts in goal for Yanga — it’s simply a run of clean sheets.