Yanga SC have been eliminated from the CRDB Bank Federation Cup after suffering a 3–2 defeat to Azam FC in a thrilling semi-final played at CCM Kirumba Stadium.
It was a match in which defensive mistakes proved costly for Yanga, as they conceded goals that ultimately ended their hopes of defending the title.
Himid Mao opened the scoring for Azam FC with a header after Yanga defenders failed to clear a dangerous ball inside the penalty area.
Azam FC went into halftime leading 1–0. Prince Dube later equalized for Yanga with a header from an Allan Okello cross.
Another defensive lapse punished Yanga in the 85th minute when Lameck Lawi headed home from a corner delivered by Feisal Salum.
Yanga captain Bakari Nondo Mwamnyeto restored hope just three minutes later, scoring with a header from another Okello cross to level the match.
The goal forced the contest into 30 minutes of extra time. Yanga returned strongly in search of a winner against an Azam FC side reduced to ten men after defender Yoro Diaby was sent off for stopping Dube when he was through on goal.
Despite wave after wave of attacks, Yanga were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Zuberi Foba, while Azam FC’s defenders worked tirelessly to keep their team in the match.
Another costly mistake from Bacca eventually sealed Yanga’s fate in the closing minutes of extra time. His short back pass was intercepted by striker Japhet Kitambala, who calmly slotted the ball into the net to score the winning goal.
After four consecutive years as CRDB Cup champions, Yanga’s reign has finally come to an end. The club must now turn its full attention to defending its Premier League title.
The two sides will meet again on Wednesday, June 24, at New Amaan Complex Stadium in Zanzibar in a crucial Premier League fixture.
