Yanga head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has stressed the importance of every striker at the club finding the net early this season, urging his forwards to show greater confidence in front of goal.
Striker Peter Shalulile has already opened his account in the NBC Premier League, unlike his teammate Cheikh Ibrahim Toure, who is still waiting for his first competitive goal.
However, Toure could receive more opportunities in the coming matches as Mngqithi looks to give all his forwards playing time, ensuring each player remains ready and competitive for a place in the squad.
In the previous match against Coastal Union, Mngqithi started with Shalulile before bringing Toure on in the second half. The coach also deployed Mohamed Hussein ‘Zimbwe Jr’ as a winger, explaining that one of the reasons was to create opportunities for Toure to score.
Despite that plan, Zimbwe Jr was the one who found the back of the net after his cross took a deflection and ended up in the net.
“I need my strikers to gain confidence very early in this season. Cheikh Toure has not scored yet, so for me it is important to see all of them start scoring because it will take away their fear and help them focus more,” Mngqithi said.
Yanga will return to action tomorrow, Sunday, at KMC Complex against JKT Tanzania, a match in which Mngqithi could start both Shalulile and Toure, as he did in the opening league game of the season against Namungo FC.
In addition to Shalulile and Toure, Yanga have further strengthened their attacking options after completing the signing of Seleman Mwalimu from Wydad AC.
Mwalimu is now waiting for his opportunity in the squad after Yanga completed his registration at the last minute, having initially been on course to join Simba.
With more options now available in attack, Mngqithi appears keen to create strong competition within the squad, with every striker expected to make the most of the opportunities they receive and prove their ability in front of goal.
