DEFENDING champions Young Africans SC continued their flawless run in the NBC Premier League, securing a 1-0 victory over Coastal Union at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha.

The win, courtesy of a 25th-minute strike by Democratic Republic of Congo forward Jean Baleke, propelled Young Africans to the second place in the league standings with 21 points, just ahead of rivals Simba SC.

The decisive moment came from a corner taken by Young Africans’ Maxi Nzengeli. Coastal Union’s defense struggled to clear the ball, allowing Baleke to pounce and score his first goal of the season, showcasing his offensive capabilities following his recent transfer from Libyan club Al Ittihad.

Head coach Miguel Gamondi (pictured) praised his team’s resilience in tough conditions. 

“Three points are very important, especially with this away win in a challenging stadium,” Gamondi stated. “It was hard to play our usual football on this pitch. Coastal Union faced similar challenges, which impacted both teams. This is an area that needs attention for the improvement of Tanzanian football.”

Gamondi expressed some dissatisfaction with the team’s first-half performance, noting adjustments he made at halftime. He also highlighted concerns about officiating, emphasizing the importance of fair play to uphold the league’s standards.

Young Africans maintained their defensive strength despite the absence of their first-choice goalkeeper, Mali international Djigui Diarra. 

Backup goalkeeper Khomeiny Aboubakar, who joined the team this season, secured his first clean sheet, complementing the six already achieved by Diarra.

Coastal Union showed early promise, creating a chance in the 9th minute when Maabad Maulid’s powerful header struck the post. However, Young Africans gradually took control, albeit with their passing game limited by the field’s conditions. 

The second half saw Gamondi introduce Prince Dube, Clatous Chama, Pacome Zouzoua, Duke Abuya, and Aziz Andambwile, injecting momentum into the attack and generating additional scoring opportunities.

Coastal Union nearly equalized in the 71st minute when Gerson Gwalala narrowly missed an open goal. Zouzoua also came close to adding a second goal for Young Africans but couldn’t capitalize on his skillful dribbling past three defenders. In the final minutes, Dube missed a clear shot on goal, leaving the scoreline unchanged.

With this victory, Young Africans extended their unbeaten start to seven games, achieving seven consecutive wins and scoring a total of 12 goals. 

They now hold second place with 21 points, trailing Singida Black Stars, who have 22 points from eight games. With one less game played, Young Africans are well-positioned to reclaim the league’s top spot.

Coastal Union, meanwhile, fell to 11th place with eight points, facing increased mid-table competition after KMC’s 2-1 victory over Tanzania Prisons at Mbeya’s Sokoine Stadium. 

The defending champions' season has so far been marked by tactical discipline and defensive resilience, as they continue to impress without conceding a single goal in the league.