Faisal Salum’s fine first half strike was enough for Young Africans Sports Club as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over perennial rivals Simba in Azam Sports Federation Cup semi-final clash played at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza on Saturday.
Yanga dominated proceedings in the early exchanges, although they failed to create any clear cut openings, while Simba were restricted to efforts from range.
The Citizens eventually broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Feisal Salum finished off a well-worked passing move with a thunderous volley from more than twenty yards out.
Fiston Mayele nearly doubled Yanga lead two minutes later but his powerful shot from the edge of the area went over the bar.
Simba nearly hit back in the 37th minute when Chris Mugalu’s powerful header forced Djidgui Diarra into a fine low save.
Pablo Franco’s side were chasing shadows for large parts of the half and it seemed to frustrate them, as two Simba players picked up a booking in the first half.
Ousmane Sakho nearly found an equalizer for Simba with his nice touch in the 65th minute but the Senegalese fired horribly wide from close range.
Yanga continued to threaten but were let down by their finishing as Mayele was denied in a one-on-one situation before Makambo headed straight at Kakolanya a few minutes later at the far post.
The Citizens were nearly made to pay for those misses when Simba substitute Meddie Kagere latched onto a ball over the top, however, the striker headed wide with only Diarra to beat on 70 minutes.
Joash Onyango was presented with another chance for an equalizer in the 88th minute but his header sailed well wide of the target.
Yanga almost had the last laugh, only for Mayele to waste another shot from distance after evading Kakolanya, who had come well out of his goal.
