CAFCL: Young Africans edge AS FAR

A second half strike from Prince Dube was all hosts Young Africans needed on Saturday to defeat Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat by a 1-0 score in a CAF Champions League (CAFCL) Group B clash at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

The Tanzanian champions controlled the match throughout but failed to make their opportunities count in the first half. Dube had an excellent chance inside seven minutes when an errant clearance from the opposition led to the Zimbabwean’s effort being saved by goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnouti.

Congolese winger Maxi Nzengeli was next to test Tagnouti after the half hour mark but his header was well tipped away by the former Wydad AC keeper. The visitors finally crafted their first chance early in the second half but Yanga goalkeeper Djibril Diarra was able to control Ahmed Hammoudan’s header from a Youssef El Fahli cross.

A few minutes later, it was Dube who showed his poaching instincts when he ran onto a ball over the top of the AS FAR defense and fired low past Tagnouti for the only goal of the match. Despite a couple of halftime substitutions, the Moroccan club struggled to produce much of a threat on offense and Dar es Salaam giants Yanga were able to hold onto their lead with little issue.

It is a positive start in a difficult group for Yanga, who will travel to Algeria for their next Group B match against JS Kabylie. AS FAR will look to bounce back with a difficult clash at home against group favorites Al Ahly of Egypt.