Dar es Salaam giants Young Africans earned a massive 1-0 CAF Champions League victory away from home against Sudan's Al-Hilal to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the knockout stages. Stephane Aziz Ki fired in a long distance shot inside the opening ten minutes for Yanga, who will advance to the quarterfinals with a victory at home on the final day.
Young Africans needed a positive result more than their hosts and the Tanzanian visitors were rewarded for beginning the match with more urgency. In the 7th minute, Hilal star Mohamed Abdelrahman was dispossessed in the midfield and after receiving a pass from Dickson Job on the right wing, Aziz Ki did the rest with a powerful left-footed shot that skipped past diving Hilal goalkeeper Issa Fofana.
Hilal struggled to respond to Yanga's intensity and the Citizens were able to hold onto their lead until halftime. The visitors continued to look more dangerous as the second half proceeded but could not find a second goal with Yanga midfielder Mudathir Yahya missing an open shot opportunity in the 70th minute. However, Hilal could not pose a substantial threat for the final twenty minutes giving Yanga a crucial result.
Hilal fail to clinch top spot in Group A but have already qualified for the quarterfinals ahead of their final match next Sunday at already eliminated TP Mazembe. For Young Africans, a home date with MC Alger awaits in Dar es Salaam where they must win to overtake the Algerian club and advance to the knockout stages.
Group A Table
GP | Points | |
Al-Hilal Omdurman | 5 | 10 |
MC Alger | 5 | 8 |
Young Africans | 5 | 7 |
TP Mazembe | 5 | 2 |
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