YOUNG Africans SC will be aiming to move eight points clear at the top of the NBC Premier League table when they continue their domestic campaign with a home tie against Coastal Union in Dar es Salaam this evening.

Head coach Miguel Gamondi's side is currently in a commanding position at the summit, sitting five points clear of second-placed Azam FC with seven games left.

The reigning NBC Premier League champions, alias Yanga, have been comfortably the best team this season, boasting a record of 19 wins, two draws, and two defeats from 23 matches, which has left them at the top of the division having collected 59 points.

Unless something extraordinary happens, Yanga will win the title for a third successive season, and it will be fully deserved, having scored the most goals (54) and conceded the fewest (12) during an excellent campaign.

The Dar es Salaam side is bidding to secure one more trophy this term, as they are also in the quarterfinals of the CRDB Federation Cup, having knocked out Dodoma Jiji FC in the Round of 16 earlier this month.

They boast a three-match unbeaten run though they were held to a goalless draw by relegation strugglers, JKT Tanzania, in Dar es Salaam last time out.

Not only does Gamondi’s side boast the best offensive record in the division (54 goals scored), but also the team possesses the strongest defensive record (letting in 12 goals).

As for Coastal Union, nobody expected them to be challenging for a CAF Champions League spot during the business end of the season but that is exactly what they are doing.

Coastal Union, nicknamed ‘Wagosi wa Kaya’, is sitting fourth in the topflight, one point ahead of fifth-placed Kinondoni Municipal Council FC in the battle to secure CAF Champions League football for the 2024-25 campaign.

With six games to play, they need to grind out good results to secure their highest finish since the 2014/15 campaign when they ended fifth.

Head coach David Ouma’s side has struggled for consistency in the league recently, recording two wins, two losses, and one draw in their last five matches.

They head into today’s clash on the back of a 1-0 away defeat to Namungo FC in Lindi last week. They need to avoid defeat here to remain in control of their top-four bid.

Coastal Union suffered a 1-0 defeat to Yanga in the reverse match at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga this season, but the recent draw with Azam FC and victory over JKT Tanzania at the Azam Complex Stadium should give them confidence ahead of this contest.

Despite the daunting 26-point gap separating Coastal Union from the league-leading Yanga, Ouma’s squad is buoyed by a string of commendable defensive performances against formidable opponents.