AFTER securing their third consecutive domestic double last season, early indications in the NBC Premier League suggest that Young Africans SC are once again setting the pace and will be tough to beat this season.

The Green and Yellow secured the Premier League and Federation Cup (FA Cup) titles last season and rival clubs are desperately searching for ways to bridge the gap to Miguel Gamondi's side.

Last season in the Premier League, Young Africans won the title having lost only two times. The defeats came away to Azam and Ihefu.

Azam were good last season but the defeat against Ihefu was a shock. All the two defeats were by just a margin of a single goal, so in terms of the result, Young Africans, under Gamondi (pictured) were not far away from getting a draw in those two games.

After such a successful season there were some who questioned whether the hunger in the squad would be there to do it again this term. The early signs suggest Young Africans are just as motivated to go again and dominate locally as well do well in the CAF Champions League.

Gamondi’s team started the defence of their Premier League title in style by beating Kagera Sugar 2-0 at Kaitaba Stadium. They also qualified for the CAF Champions League group stage.

Having played eight games in the 2024/25 Premier League season, Young Africans have a 100% record and sit top of the table on 24 points so far, exhibiting a consistency that the rest of the division has not.

Three teams are within six points of Young Africans in the title race. Yet, all three of those teams have struggled to show the same consistency of Young Africans, dropping points sporadically.

The reigning champions have already opened a five-point gap ahead of Simba in third place. The gap between them and second placed Singida Black Stars is two. 

It is worth noting that Young Africans have a game in hand but even if they win, the gap will still be five points at this early stage of the campaign.

They are six points ahead of last season's closest challengers Azam who have played one more game at this stage.

While the team has scored just 13 league goals, the defence has done enough to win matches and distract from some of the offensive weaknesses.

Young Africans have been comfortably the best defensive team in the league this season. They have kept a clean sheet in all eight of their Premier League fixtures this season and trends show they are the only club yet to concede a league goal.

Eight straight clean-sheet victories. It will be interesting to see how long they can keep their clean sheet run going in the league this season.

Maxi Nzegeli has led the way in attack, bagging three goals and one assist, while Ibrahim Bacca and Pacome Zouzoua have each scored twice.

At the opposite end of the pitch, goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, Dickson Job and Bacca have featured in all but one league game, with fellow defenders Chadrack Boka and Kouassi Attohola Yao also starring.

Winning all of their first eight games of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, it's an ominous start for Young Africans' rivals, who might have been hoping for a sluggish version of the reigning champions after three years of success.

Wednesday’s win over Singida Black Stars means Young Africans are undefeated in their last 26 competitive fixtures in all competitions. Overall, it’s now 18 games without a defeat in the league stretching back to last season.

That it is being achieved with many believing they are yet to hit top gear is all the more ominous for the rest of the league. 

Last season’s goal machine Stephane Azizi Ki has had a slow start while new signing Prince Dube is yet to find his feet