Peter Shalulile scores as Young Africans SC give Manqoba Mngqithi winning start

Peter Shalulile scored in added time as Young Africans SC began their Tanzanian Premier League title defence with a 3-1 victory over Namungo on Saturday.

The forward’s late finish completed a successful opening league match for coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who has taken charge of Yanga following the departure of Pedro Goncalves.

Yanga had already claimed the Tanzanian Community Shield against city rivals Simba SC, and continued their strong start under the South African-born manager with a commanding performance.

Shadrack Boka opened the scoring midway through the second half before Maxi Nzengeli doubled the champions’ advantage within minutes. Namungo briefly threatened a recovery when Lukindo pulled a goal back, but Shalulile settled the contest in the first minute of added time.

The result also marked another positive step in Shalulile’s early spell at Young Africans SC. The Namibia international has reunited with Mngqithi and had been close to scoring before eventually finding the net.

Yanga created the first clear opening after more than 30 minutes. Kangwanda struck a low free-kick from the edge of the penalty area, but the Namungo goalkeeper produced a strong save to keep the match goalless.

Shalulile then came within inches of making an immediate impact before the interval. His glancing header from inside the box clipped the woodwork and went over the goal.

The striker was denied again shortly afterwards. Kangwanda delivered a cutback from the left after Shalulile had made a late run into the area, but the Namibian misjudged the ball’s flight and could only watch it travel across the face of goal.

Yanga continued to control the match after the break and eventually took the lead from a set-piece routine. Following a short corner, the ball dropped loose at the back post, where Boka reacted quickest and headed into an open net.

Namungo’s problems deepened just a few minutes later. A scramble for possession produced a loose ball, and Nzengeli took advantage by driving his shot into the bottom corner.

The home side were given renewed hope with less than 10 minutes remaining. Lukindo showed good awareness to arrive on the right side of the box before firing towards the near post. The goal was awarded after a pitch-side review.

Namungo could not complete the comeback, however. In the opening minute of stoppage time, hesitant defending allowed Shalulile to take control inside the area, and he calmly placed his finish into the bottom corner.

The goal gave Mngqithi a winning start to his Tanzanian Premier League tenure and ensured the champions opened their title defence with three points. Shalulile’s performance also underlined the promising beginning to his time at Yanga, the project he has described as developing “Brick by brick”.