Young Africans SC secured a 2-0 win over Marumo Gallants in their first leg CAF Confederation Cup semi-final at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Yanga, who have not reached this stage of the competition were up against the tournament surprise package of Gallants who are also in foreign territories just two years since being formed after the status acquisition of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) who were relegated to the amateur ranks of South African football two weeks ago.
It set the stage for a fascinating tie in Dar Es Salaam for a game massive in the context of Tanzanian football as they look to build on their reputation across the continent as a potential new force to be reckoned with.
But Nasreddine Nabi’s side didn’t have it easy against Gallants – who are fighting relegation in the DStv Premiership this season – as has been the case with some of the most formidable sides on the continent this season.
Gallants had the ball in the net in the first half through Letsie Koapeng but the goal was ruled out for off-side, and his strike partner Ranga Chivaviro, who is joint top scorer with Yanga stars Fiston Mayele on five goals, spurned a couple of half-chances in each half.
But the all-important game through Burkina Faso international playmaker Stephane Aziz Ki who managed to beat the impressive Washington Arubi to spark wild scenes at the national stadium.
And in stoppage time Bernard Morisson netted the second between the two sides ahead of their second-leg fixture at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium next week in Rustenberg.
The former Orlando Pirates playmaker, who’s been somewhat of a cult-hero in East Africa netted into an open net after a two-on-one situation with Arubi.
A chance of winning the title in the final awaits either side, with ASEC Mimosas and USM Alger competing in the other semi-final fixture.
