YOUNG Africans Sports Club (Yanga) head coach Miloud Hamdi has expressed delight with his team's performance and fighting spirit following a resounding 5-0 victory over Dodoma Jiji in their Mainland Premier League match held on Sunday at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

The dominant win boosted Young Africans’ title hopes as they moved a step closer to clinching the 2024/25 NBC Premier League title, with only one more hurdle remaining - the eagerly anticipated Dar es Salaam  Derby clash against Simba SC.

Speaking after the emphatic win, Hamdi (pictured) praised his players for their resilience and determination, especially after a shaky start in the first half that saw Dodoma Jiji pose a serious challenge.

“I want to congratulate my players for this crucial win. We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game, and the first half proved that as Dodoma Jiji gave us a hard time,” said the Algerian tactician.

Despite the early struggle, Young Africans came back into the second half with renewed energy and tactical discipline, which ultimately led to their dominance. Hamdi attributed the turnaround to technical adjustments made at the break, which the players executed with precision.

“We made some technical changes at halftime, and I was pleased with how the players responded. The energy, the focus, and the execution were exactly what we had worked on in training,” Hamdi explained.

Among the key contributors in the second half were experienced midfielder Jonas Mkude, versatile winger Farid Mussa, and emerging star Shekhan Khamis, all of whom impressed the coach with their performances.

“We gave chances to players like Mkude, Farid, and Shekhan, and they all played excellently. Everyone is important in this squad, and today they showed why,” he added.

Hamdi also reserved special praise for the club’s loyal fans, who turned out in numbers in Zanzibar to support their team and created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the match.

“The fans are part of this victory. They have been with us every step of the way, and they deserve to celebrate this moment. Their support gives us strength,” he remarked.

The comfortable win not only lifted spirits in the Young Africans camp but also propelled them to the top of the Premier League standings with 79 points just one ahead of rivals Simba, who sit second with 78 points.

As it stands, Young Africans now need just a draw or a win in their final league game against Simba set to be played tomorrow, June 25 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to seal the championship for the fourth consecutive season.

The derby, widely considered the biggest fixture in Tanzanian football, is expected to attract huge attention and carry high stakes, as both teams are still mathematically in the race for the title.

Young Africans’ commanding performance against Dodoma Jiji will surely give them a psychological edge heading into the decisive showdown, though Hamdi has urged his players to remain focused and humble.

“There is still one game to go. The job is not yet done. We must stay focused and continue to work hard. Simba is a strong team, and we respect them, but we will be ready,” he emphasized.

Under Hamdi’s leadership, Young Africans have maintained a consistent run of form, showcasing attacking flair, defensive solidity, and tactical maturity. The 5-0 win served as a testament to their title credentials and signaled their intent to finish the season on a high.

The upcoming Dar es Salaam Derby is set to be one of the most significant matches in recent memory, not just for the bragging rights, but for determining who will lift the Premier League trophy.

With the momentum on their side and their fate in their own hands, Young Africans now stand just 90 minutes away from another historic league triumph.