YOUNG Africans (Yanga) sealed the Mainland Premier League championship for the fourth consecutive season with a commanding 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Simba SC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Second-half goals from Pacome Zouzoua and substitute Clement Mzize secured the win, which was all Young Africans needed - having required just a draw or a win in their final league game to be crowned champions.

Young Africans dominated the first half and came close in the 11th minute when Zouzoua failed to connect with a cross from Mudathir Yahya, who had beaten defender Karaboue Chamou inside the box. 

Another opportunity followed in the 18th minute when Chadrack Boka fired wide after receiving a pass from Israel Mwenda.

Zouzoua was involved again in the 53rd minute, skillfully beating defender Shomari Kapombe before squaring the ball to Mudathir, whose shot flew over the bar.

The pressure from Young Africans intensified in the second half, and Fabrice Ngoma had to clear a dangerous cross from Maxi Nzengeli after he had beaten goalkeeper Moussa Camara.

Simba responded in the 57th minute with their first serious chance - a powerful 25-yard effort that hit the post and went out. Just three minutes later, Jean Charles Ahoua unleashed a powerful shot from inside the box, but it sailed over the bar.

Young Africans finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute after Zouzoua was brought down by Camara inside the box. Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Amin Omar pointed to the spot, and Zouzoua calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Young Africans the lead.

Mzize missed a golden chance to extend the lead in the 71st minute when he failed to score in a one-on-one situation with Camara. However, he made no mistake in the 86th minute, calmly slotting home past the advancing keeper to seal a 2-0 victory.

The result cemented Young Africans’ place at the top of the league standings with 82 points - four ahead of Simba, who finished the season second with 78 points after 30 matches.

Young Africans’ impressive season included 27 wins, one draw, and two losses, scoring 83 goals and conceding just 10 - boasting the best goal difference in the league. Simba registered 25 wins, three draws, and two losses, scoring 69 goals and conceding 13.

With the league title secured, Young Africans now shifts focus to the Federation Cup final, where they will face Singida Black Stars at Amaan Stadium on June 28. A win would see Young Africans complete a domestic treble, having already lifted the Community Shield earlier this season.

The decisive league clash was originally scheduled for March 8 but was postponed after Simba boycotted the fixture, citing denied access to train at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium – Young Africans’ designated home ground. 

The match was rescheduled to June 15, but Young Africans declined to play, demanding action on grievances stemming from the initial postponement, including the removal of certain Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) officials.

After intervention by top government authorities and a reshuffling of the TPLB, the match was officially confirmed for June 25. 

To ensure neutrality, the TPLB appointed a team of Egyptian referees: Amin Mohamed Amin Omar as the center referee, assisted by Mahmoud Ahmed Abo El Regal and Samir Gamal Saad Mohamed. Ahmed Mahrous Elghandour served as the fourth official.

Salim Omary Singano from Tanga was the match commissioner, and Ali Mohamed from Somalia was the referee assessor. The move to appoint foreign officials was aimed at maintaining fairness and integrity in what was expected to be a high-stakes and emotionally charged derby.

Both Young Africans and Simba had already secured qualification for next season’s CAF Champions League prior to the match.

Azam FC (63 points) and Singida Black Stars (57 points) will represent Tanzania in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Meanwhile, KenGold FC (16 points) and Kagera Sugar (23 points) have been relegated to the Championship. Tanzania Prisons (31 points) and Fountain Gate FC (29 points) will enter the promotion/relegation playoffs.

Young Africans Starting XI:
Djigui Diarra, Israel Mwenda, Chadrack Boka, Dickson Job, Ibrahim Bacca, Khalid Aucho, Duke Abuya, Mudathir Yahya, Prince Dube, Pacome Zouzoua, Maxi Nzengeli

Simba Sports Club Starting XI:
Moussa Camara, Shomari Kapombe, Mohammed Hussein, Karaboue Chamou, Che Malone Fondoh, Yussuph Kagoma, Joshua Mutale, Fabrice Ngoma, Steven Mukwala, Jean Charles Ahoua, Elie Mpanzu.