Yanga seek Premier League top spot against Kagera Sugar

By Michael Mwebe , The Guardian
Published at 10:21 AM Feb 01 2025
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Photo: Agencies
Young Africans head coach Sead Ramovic

YOUNG Africans will be eager to reclaim the top spot in the 2024/2025 Premier League when they take on a struggling Kagera Sugar side at the KMC Complex this afternoon.

The defending champions trail league leaders Simba by just one point and will be determined to extend their winning streak to seven consecutive matches.

Young Africans head coach Sead Ramovic (pictured) emphasized that his team cannot afford to underestimate any opponent as they aim to defend their title.

“We face a very good team again, which will be very tough for us. We have to play at our best once again because, as I have often said, we respect every opponent. To win, we must perform at our highest level,” said Ramovic.

“The team is likely to use a low block, so we must break them down, find spaces, and play between the lines with quick forward passes.”

Kagera Sugar, currently second from bottom, are enduring a difficult season, sitting six points away from safety. They also have one of the league’s weakest attacking records, with just 10 goals in 15 matches.

While Kagera Sugar could pose some resistance, Young Africans are in far superior form, making an upset highly unlikely for the Lake Zone side.

In his pre-match press conference, Kagera Sugar head coach Melis Medo acknowledged the pressure surrounding the game and stated their main objective would be to avoid defeat.

“Tomorrow is a big game with too much pressure on the players, the bench, and on Yanga as well after not qualifying for the next stage of the CAF Champions League,” said Medo.

“Yanga are coming to win as usual. Kagera are coming to try not to lose, as usual. The question is how we do that. Closing our lines when attacking, defending low, defending high—it’s all part of the game.”

Historically, Young Africans have dominated this fixture, winning 23 of their past encounters compared to Kagera Sugar’s four, with two matches ending in draws. 

Given their current form and superior squad, Young Africans will be confident of securing another victory.