Tanzanian super club Young Africans jumped back into contention in Group A of the CAF Champions League following their decisive 3-1 home victory over TP Mazembe on Saturday. Rising star Clement Mzize scored one of the goals of the competition and added another goal to go along with a strike from Stephane Aziz Ki to confirm victory for the hosts who move level with MC Alger in second place following the result.
A must-win match for both teams, the tension was evident early on to the benefit of visitors Mazembe, who took the lead just after the quarter hour mark. Mazembe right back Ibrahima Keita was hacked down in the Yanga penalty area by a clumsy challenge and Mazembe's giant goalkeeper Alioune Badara Faty stepped up to calmly convert the ensuing penalty kick.
That was as good as it got for Mazembe. Yanga were spurred into action by conceding and the hosts seized control of the match with high pressing and direct attacking. In the 33rd minute, Mzize sent the home support into a state of pandemonium when poor defending allowed the Tanzanian starlet to unleash a rocket into the top corner past Badara Faty who had no chance.
After going into halftime level at 1-1, Yanga continued to assert themselves and took the lead in the 56th minute through Aziz Ki. A defensive breakdown from Mazembe allowed the Burkinabe national team player to collect a pass from Khalid Aucho before turning and finishing under the onrushing Badara Faty. Less than five minutes later the Tanzanian giants collected their third goal when high pressing forced a Mazembe turnover in the midfield and Mzize finished from an assist by Prince Dube.
Mazembe gathered themselves somewhat but could not find a goal to put pressure on their Tanzanian hosts. Yanga are now level with Algeria's MC Alger on four points in the battle for second place in Group A. Mazembe are now on the ropes, sitting on two points in fourth place.
Highlights
Updated Group A Table
Games Played | Points | |
| 3 | 9 |
| 3 | 4 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 4 | 2 |
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