YOUNG Africans SC head coach Miguel Gamondi remains cautiously optimistic about his team’s title defense in the NBC Premier League while acknowledging the presence of strong competition.

The Jangwani Street side’s quest for the NBC Premier League title has hit a rough patch in the last three matches.

While the outfit, alias Yanga, managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory against Coastal Union at Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam last weekend, the former’s recent performances raise concerns about their title aspirations.

The Yanga faithful witnessed a hard-fought win in the Dar es Salaam derby, in which the squad notched a 2-1 victory over Simba SC.

However, a frustrating 0-0 draw with JKT Tanzania at the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium last week highlighted the team’s struggles.

These results underscore the intense competition in the NBC Premier League. The 29-time Premier League champions have no way out, rather than winning just four out of the remaining six encounters if they are to challenge for the title this season.

The win at Azam Complex Stadium, secured by Ivorian attacker Joseph Guede’s solitary goal, extends Yanga’s lead at the top of the table to 64 points. However, Gamondi recognizes the challenges ahead.

“The match was very difficult. Many things were happening inside the stadium, including a penalty that wasn’t awarded and numerous missed chances. But the players showed great resolve and managed to find the winning goal,” he admitted.

Gamondi highlighted Guede’s contribution, stating: “We played good football. I’m happy the players stayed calm and secured the three points with Guede’s goal. He’s a talented player, and our last striker did a fantastic job.”

The coach also addressed the absence of Ibrahim Abdallah ‘Bacca’ from the starting lineup.

“It wasn’t due to injuries. I made a tactical change in the defense, opting to rest him because of the congested schedule. We have to manage his workload effectively,” he clarified.

Despite Yanga’s strong position, Gamondi remains grounded, pointing out: “We’re in a good place to win the title, but we can’t get complacent. There are still games in hand, and the league is far from over.”

Gamondi cautioned: “We need to maintain focus and win every game, regardless of what the teams below us are doing.”

Meanwhile, Coastal Union coach David Ouma remains positive despite the loss. He acknowledged Yanga’s experience as a factor in the Jangwani Street squad's victory.

“They got the three points shortly after our player Lawi got a red card. Our opponents capitalized on the advantage to score the winning goal,” he explained.

Ouma believes his team could have achieved a different outcome, revealing: “It wasn’t a good result for us, of course, but I believe we could have done better if the red card hadn’t happened. In the first half, it was a balanced game, and they didn’t have any clear chances until the 69th minute. We were still holding them at 0-0 before the red card, unfortunately.”

The encounter between Yanga and Coastal Union showcased the intense competition in the NBC Premier League. 

While Yanga maintains the lead, the fight for the league title is far from over. With several games remaining, both teams, along with the rest of the contenders, will need to display strategic thinking, resilience, and a thirst for victory to achieve success.

Meanwhile, Yanga’s victory extends their lead at the top of the table. They now have 64 points, eight clear of second-placed Azam FC. Simba SC is clinging on to third spot with 46 points from 21 matches.

Yanga will aim to solidify their lead in their upcoming fixtures against Mashujaa FC, Kagera Sugar, Mtibwa Sugar, Dodoma Jiji FC, and Tabora United.