DESPITE a comfortable 3-0 victory over Namungo FC on Tuesday, Young Africans (Yanga) head coach Miloud Hamdi expressed satisfaction with the result but noted that he was not fully impressed with his team’s overall performance.

Goals from Stephane Aziz Ki, Prince Dube, and Maxi Mpia Nzengeli sealed the win at the KMC Complex, extending the defending champions’ lead at the top of the Mainland Premier League to four points - crucial momentum ahead of their highly anticipated June 15 clash against second-placed Simba SC.

While pleased with collecting three points, Hamdi (pictured) emphasized that the team is capable of better football. He acknowledged the challenge of resuming competitive play after a break and reiterated his commitment to giving all players under contract ample playing time.

"I'm pleased with the three points, but I believe we have the potential to play better. It was a challenging match, and I spoke to the players about it. Coming back after several weeks without a game is never easy. Still, the win and staying at the top of the league are what matter most," Hamdi said.

"My philosophy is to utilize all the players we have at Yanga. Each of them is an important part of the team, and I will do my best to ensure they get the playing time they deserve."

He also praised Namungo FC for their strong start and competitive spirit.

"I must commend our opponents - they made the game difficult for us, especially in the early stages. Every team brings their best effort when facing Yanga, and we must always be ready for that,” he added.

Namungo FC head coach Juma Mgunda echoed Hamdi’s sentiment about the game’s intensity, lamenting his side’s lapse in concentration that allowed Young Africans to take the lead.

“We started well and controlled the first 25 minutes. But a momentary loss of focus gave Yanga the advantage. When you give a team with their experience that kind of opportunity, it’s very difficult to recover,” Mgunda said.

With the victory, Young Africans now lead the Mainland Premier League standings with 73 points from 27 matches, while arch-rivals Simba follow with 69 points from 26 matches.

Next up for Young Africans is the Federation Cup semifinal against JKT Tanzania on May 18. 

JKT Tanzania head into that fixture on a high note, having defeated Fountain Gate 3-1 on Tuesday to break a two-match losing streak. 

Meanwhile, Pamba Jiji also secured a 2-0 win against relegated KenGold.