Yanga players celebrate with the trophy.

Two goals registered in each half by regular scorers were enough to make Young Africans (Yanga) retain the Kagame Cup title in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Yanga who started the game on a low note at the group stage, losing 2-0 against Atletico of Burundi in the opening game, beat Azam FC 2-0 in an exciting final match played at the National Stadium.

The win is also a moment of revenge for Yanga who the Chamazi-based side have defeated in four consecutive games in local matches.

Poor defending was what let down Azam FC when their weak defence allowed lethal striker Hamisi Kiiza to score the first goal in the 45th minute. The Ugandan scored when he intercepted a ball which Ibrahim Shikanda was trying to return to goalie Deogratius Munishi.

The second goal was scored by Saidi Bahanuzi during injury time from a counter attack. The two strikers have been a force to reckon with during the tournament.

The victory has given credit to the newly recruited Yanga coach Tom Saintfiet who entered the regional championship when he was one week old on the job.

Saintfiet said: “It was a tough final. Azam FC is a good team but all in all I am proud of my players. It is always better to lose the first game but not the last game.”

On his part, Azam FC coach Stewart Hall said that it was a tough game and that Yanga used the weaknesses of their defence to retain the trophy. “Anyway this is what football is.”

Yanga have been awarded 30,000 dollars while Azam pocketed 20,000 dollars and AS Vita of Democratic Republic of Congo have taken 10,000 dollars for finishing third.

Lineups:

Yanga: Ali Mustafa 'Barthez,' Oscar Joshua, Stephano Mwasika, Nadir Haroub 'Cannavaro', Kelvin Yondani, Haruna Niyonzima, Athumani Iddi 'Chuji', Rashid Gumbo/ Juma Seif, Hamisi Kiiza, Said Bahanuzi, David Luhende.

Azam FC: Deogratius Munishi 'Dida', Ibrahim Shikanda/Samir Haji, Erasto Nyoni, Said Morad, Aggrey Moris, Jabir Aziz, Kipre Tchetche/Mrisho Ngasa, Salum Abubakar, John Bocco, Ibrahim Mwaipopo, Ramadhan Chombo 'Redondo'.