YOUNG Africans (Yanga) suffered a disappointing start in their CAF Champions League group stage campaign, falling 2-0 to Sudanese giants Al Hilal at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The defeat marks Young Africans’ third consecutive loss across all competitions, following Premier League setbacks to Azam FC and Tabora United before the international break.

Al Hilal’s Adama Coulibaly broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, capitalizing on defensive lapses to slot the ball past goalkeeper Djigui Diarra. 

Yassir Mozamil delivered the decisive blow in the 90th minute, finishing a counterattack to seal a commanding win for the visitors.

This result was particularly disheartening for Young Africans, who had maintained a solid defensive record in the Champions League group stage since their return to the competition last season after a 25-year hiatus.

Young Africans began the match with promise, applying early pressure and creating scoring chances. Striker Prince Dube had three clear opportunities in the first half but failed to convert, frustrating fans eager to see their team take control. 

Dube, despite his strong contributions earlier in the season, has struggled to find form in recent matches.

Midfielder Stephano Aziz Ki also came close, his 55th-minute header ricocheting off the crossbar in what was arguably Young Africans’ best chance of the match.

The absence of influential midfielder Khalid Aucho was keenly felt, leaving Young Africans’ midfield exposed to Al Hilal’s pace and creativity. Mudathir Yahya and Duke Abuya, deputizing in central midfield, struggled to contain Al Hilal’s fluid attacks.

The Sudanese side’s dominance on the flanks proved decisive, with Steven Ebuela’s runs on the right repeatedly troubling Young Africans’ left-back, Nickson Kibabage. It was from this flank that Coulibaly’s opener was created, exposing vulnerabilities in Young Africans’ defensive setup.

New head coach Sead Ramovic faced a baptism of fire in his debut, inheriting a side reeling from back-to-back defeats in the domestic league. 

Despite the setback, Ramovic remains optimistic about the team’s potential and has identified fitness, defensive organization, and finishing as immediate areas for improvement.

With TP Mazembe and MC Alger drawing 0-0 in the group’s other match, Young Africans find themselves at the bottom of Group A. 

Their next league fixture on Saturday provides an opportunity to regain confidence ahead of their crucial away match against MC Alger in the Champions League.

Young Africans face a challenging path to redemption, with upcoming fixtures likely to define their continental ambitions. 

Improvements in defensive coordination, midfield stability, and attacking precision will be critical for the Tanzanian champions as they seek to stay competitive in both domestic and international competitions.

Fans remain hopeful that their team can turn things around and recapture the form that saw them dominate earlier stages of the tournament. 

However, the pressure is on Ramovic and his squad to deliver immediate results and prove their mettle on the grand stage.