Tanzania: Yanga Force URA to 2-2 Draw

JERRY Tegete notched a last minute equalizer as Premier League Champions Young Africans fought back from two goals down to hold Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to a 2-2 draw in a mouthwatering pre-season friendly match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

URA were on the blink of a second victory in their tour of the country when a brace from budding midfielder Lutimba Yayo put the Ugandans 2-0 up against Ernest Brandts’ in the 51st minute but Didier Kavumbagu put them back into the game before the hosts rescued a late equalising goal thanks to Tegete.

URA defeated Simba 2-1 in their opening match staged at the same venue on Saturday whey they bounced back from a goal down. Hundreds of passionate Yanga fans, who turned up for the build-up match at the state-of-the-art stadium were denied an opportunity to have a glimpse of their newly-recruited player Ogbu Brendan Chukwudi.

The highly-rated striker,who has joined the Jangwani Streetbased side from Heartland of Nigeria, sat out after sustaining injury when warning up and was replaced in the starting line-up by Kavumbagu. The Burundian joined the likes of Tegete, Said Bahanuzi and Shaaban Kondo in the hosts’ strong attacking force.

Newly-signed goalkeeper Deogratius Munishi started on goal in the absence of first-choice Ali Mustafa who is attending national team duties. Fringe players like defender-cum-midfielder Salum Telela and Ibrahim Job were also given an opportunity to impress head coach Brandts. URA made four changes from the squad that beat Simba 2-1 on Saturday.

The hosts started brightly, with Mbuyu Twite striking the wall with a ferocious shot from a good position in the opening minutes before Oscar Joshua shot inches wide as Yanga went all out in search for an early goal. URA defended in depth to try to negate the pace in the Yanga attack but also carved out a few chances of their own. Munishi was forced into making a point-blank save in the 27th minute as URA threatened to take the lead.

The Ugandan side gradually took control of the proceedings and were increasingly creating chances. Yanga’s Hamis Thabit was unfortunate as he picked up injury in the first half and was taken out with Bakari Masoud replacing him. Yayo, who scored a brace against Simba, proved his worth when he opened the scoring for URA with a stunning left foot effort shortly before the breather.

Tanzania Daily News