DAR ES SALAAM: YOUNG Africans were handed a surprising 3-1 defeat by the determined Tabora United, with the star of the show being Offen Chikola, whose brace silenced the defending champions at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

Following their defeat, Yanga remain in second place on the table with 24 points from 10 matches, while Tabora United moved up to sixth place with 17 points.

Tabora United are in impressive form, having secured three consecutive victories, while Yanga are struggling with back-toback defeats.

The match began with an unexpected spark from Tabora United, who seized the lead in the 18th minute. Chikola unleashed a rocket from outside the box, a bullet-like strike that left Yanga goalkeeper, Djigui Diara rooted to the spot.

The shot was arrowed perfectly into the far corner of the net, leaving both Diara and his defence line helpless in the face of the thunderous strike.

The stadium, usually a fortress for Yanga, buzzed in disbelief as the visitors celebrated their unlikely advantage. Yanga, stunned but determined, sought to regain control of the match.

Their best chance came in the 40th minute when referee Issa Mbaraka pointed to the spot after a foul on Yanga’s Pacome Zouzoua in the penalty area. The atmosphere was tense, with fans hoping Aziz Ki would bury the penalty and restore parity, but Tabora United’s goalkeeper, Hussein Masalanga, had other ideas.

The keeper dived with perfect timing, guessing Ki’s direction and produced a spectacular save that sent the crowd into raptures. The save proved to be a turning point, as Yanga’s players stood frozen, contemplating the missed opportunity, while Tabora United pounced on.

A quick counter-attack ensued, with midfielder Yacouba Sogne threading a precise pass to the on-fire Chikola. The striker showed composure and clinical finishing, as he coolly slotted the ball past Diara for his second goal of the match, doubling Tabora United’s lead and sending their fans into euphoric celebration.

The defeat left Yanga’s fans in shock and in disbelief, as their team failed to capitalise on a key penalty while succumbing to the resilient Tabora United side.

Despite relentless efforts from Yanga to break down their opponents in the second half, Tabora United’s defence, led by the inspired Masalanga in goal, held firm. Yanga made a bold tactical shift in the second half, bringing on Clatous Chama, Prince Dube and Clement Mzize in place of Aziz Ki, Pacôme, and Kennedy Musonda.

The trio injected fresh energy into Yanga’s attack, with the team pressing Tabora United hard. Despite their efforts, it was Tabora United that delivered a sting in the tail, as Nelson Munganga unleashed a thunderous shot that left goalkeeper Diara rooted to the spot, uncertain of which way the ball was heading—only to watch it hit the back of the net.

Undeterred, Yanga kept their heads high, fighting until the very end. In the dying moments of the match, Mzize pulled one back for his side, blasting home a consolation goal after receiving a well-timed assist from Dube. The final whistle confirmed the upset to Yanga, as Tabora United walked away with a historic 3-1 victory.