DEFENDING champions Young Africans face a crucial Premier League clash against Kally Ongala’s KMC this afternoon.

With the title race heating up, Young Africans cannot afford to drop points as they trail arch-rivals Simba by just one.

Young Africans currently sit second in the table with 46 points, just one point behind arch-rivals Simba and they cannot afford any slip-ups if they hope to reclaim the top spot. 

A goalless draw against JKT Tanzania on Monday means they need a strong response in this fixture.

This is Miloud Hamdi's second game in charge, and the new coach will be under pressure to deliver a convincing performance after a disappointing debut. 

A strong performance is needed not just to keep pace at the top, but also to reassure fans of his capabilities having replaced Sead Ramovic who won all his six league games.

Historically, Young Africans have dominated this fixture, winning 10 of their 13 league encounters. They also secured victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season and will look to complete the double.

Young Africans boast the league's most potent attack, having scored an impressive 42 goals in 18 games. Their defense is also formidable, conceding only seven goals – the second-best record in the league, and they will be confident of getting the job done.

Leading the charge will be top scorer Clement Mzize, who is chasing his first Golden Boot with nine goals. 

Meanwhile, last season’s top scorer Stephane Aziz Ki, under scrutiny for his recent performances, will be determined to rediscover his goal-scoring form.

KMC, currently seventh in the league, will be aiming to cause an upset. While their record against Young Africans is poor, with only one win in their history, their recent 2-0 victory over fourth-placed Singida Black Stars will boost their confidence heading into this tough encounter.

However, consistency has been an issue for KMC this season. Coach Ongala has challenges to address on both ends of the pitch. They have scored only 13 goals and have a goal difference of -10, indicating defensive vulnerabilities.

Ongala and his charges will need to be at their very best to contain the reigning champions who have little margin for error in the title race.